It took me 9 months to wrestle through, and say yes to the thing I felt God put on my heart to do... and I'm glad I'm doing it...
#1. ITS HARD.
-It's hard when you don't speak the language. Just doing the little things in life that we don't even think twice about in the States. I need to communicate to go grocery shopping, to put Internet on my phone, to go and get my laundry done and tell them that "I need these things washed separately" to even going to get coffee. You end up in a lot of awkward situations, and your head hurts a lot! I feel somewhat disconnected when going about my day. But... I'm learning.
#2. THE PEOPLE ARE AMAZINGLY WELCOMING.
-The people are great. They are friendly, they welcome you, they are glad you're in their country and they want you to experience it!
I've been invited to lunch at people's homes more times than I can count. People want to cook for you, they want you to know them, their culture, to eat their food, and to love their country. It's also a family ordeal... the whole extended family usually shows up... and YOU are the center of attention. (That part I don't love so much- As an introvert, I just want to blend in. Doesn't happen when you're 5'8" and as white as a piece of paper in a country where everyone is an average of 5ft and dark skinned.)
It is fun "trying" to speak Spanish and understand the conversation! But be ready for your brain to be shot by the end of it! I'm usually in bed by 8pm on days like that!
#3. ITS DIFFICULT
-Life is difficult. (In so many more ways for the locals than I am about to mention here.) When you are used to the pace of life in the US and then go live in a 3rd world country, it's a bit of a shock to the system. Things run VERY differently. In the States I can bust out 10 errands in one day. In Guatemala I'm lucky if I get ONE thing accomplished in one day! It's an adjustment for someone who thrives off of feeling productive by accomplishing a lot, fast!
I am LEARNING to welcome the pace and have the patience and expectation that this could possibly take all day. I could be sitting in this office all day, and may have to come back tomorrow, all day, and quite possibly all day the next before whatever it is I'm doing gets completed! Patience...
#4. ITS BEAUTIFUL.
-The country has beautiful views of volcanos, lakes, and ruins! Guatemala has a Mayan heritage and there are ruins scattered throughout the quaint town of Antigua and other parts of the country. One of my favorite things on a Sunday when walking to Church, is to take in the views around me, (without tripping on the cobblestone streets) the blue sky, the trees, the many volcanos puffing away, the colorful buildings, the people, and to just breathe in the fresh air. It's good for my soul. Enjoy the little things!
#5. DONT LET PEOPLE TALK YOU OUT OF THINGS DUE TO FEAR.
-One of the biggest things I learned BEFORE I left for Guatemala was that people will project their fears onto you. I had to learn how to battle against that and remind myself what God had put on MY heart to do (not theirs.) When God puts something on your heart to do, it won't come without a fight. But He will ALWAYS equip you and He will always protect you when walking in your calling. Don't miss out, it's so worth it!
#6. GOD GOES BEFORE YOU.
-Before I left I was so worried about this and that, how this was going to work, how that was going to happen. What about? What if? How? How am I going to? How can I? ... But what I experienced makes me smile. God goes before and prepares the way.
He has things in place in ways you never imagined.
I didn't know where I'd live, how I'd get around, where I'd go to Church, where I'd volunteer, how I'd find people to teach, how I'd have the money to do what He put on my heart to do.
HE PROVIDED... He made a way where there was no way! He put people around me to support me and help me. It was beautiful to experience His plans, they were WAY better than mine.
And since I can't stop on 6...
#7. EAT THE FOOD!!!!
People in my past had always put so much fear in my mind of eating street food in Guatemala. To be honest, it's some of the best food you will ever eat! Eat the food!!! On the street, in the hole in the wall restaurant that costs $1 a plate, in people's homes, and in the beautiful restaurants too.
My encouragement to you if God has put something on your heart (& it scares you)... start stepping, pray through it, remember His promises, then watch Him move mightily on your behalf!!!
