Estoy en Guatemala!

As I write, I am sitting in an office at the Oasis, soaked through after a one minute walk from my room to here! I think I underestimated the reality of the season here!
Guatemala is a green and beautiful country. From here, I have a spectacular view of Fuego and Agua, two of Guatemala's many active volcanoes.
On Wednesday and Thursday night, I stayed at SETECA, the largest Spanish speaking seminary in the world. It is truly a light in the city. In the midst of drugs, violence, and crime, SETECA stands as a safe haven in the middle of one of the worst parts of the city. During the day, you can hear songs of praise echoing throughout the hallways. Everyone stops to talk and ask you how you are. I thoroughly enjoyed staying there and hope I will have a chance to go back in my time here!
We had a volcano explosion on Thursday, followed by an ash rainfall. We woke up on Friday to find the ground covered in three inches of ash! We spent some of Friday shoveling it out, something I never thought that I would be doing three days ago!
The Oasis is a beautiful place. I have had a hard time adjusting to being here, after seeing the immense poverty that is so prevalent in the city. I am sleeping in a room nicer than my dorm room. I don't really understand why I am here, where, from the looks of things, I am not needed. There is no poverty at this school. No one is hungry. The girls have lots of clothes and watch T.V. a lot. Last night, I couldn't understand why God brought me here. I was so encouraged by the other intern, Rebecca, when I explained to her how I was feeling last night. She reminded me that poverty comes in different ways. None of these girls have families to go to. They have scarred and scary pasts. There are so many needs here that are not visible. I am praying that my time here will not be spent in vain, but that it will be fruitful and productive. I am praying that I will learn to connect with the girls and the staff here, and that I will entrust these next eight weeks to God and to his plan for me.
Que Dios les Bendiga!

Welcome!

Thanks for visiting my blog! I will be leaving for San Lucas, Guatemala, on May 26th, and will be there until July 21st.