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!
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Quite the weather it looks like! BBC says a tropical storm is headed your way.
ReplyDeletehttp://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/latin_america/10191957.stm
Praying for you,
Matt
Sounds crazy already!! I can't believe there was a volcano eruption!
ReplyDeleteI think I very well may have some of the same feelings as you when I get to Spain. Just love those girls as much as you can and something good will come of that. I'm praying for you!
Carl
You'll find your purpose- love on those girls and they'll start opening up to you. There is no one better to be where you are! I love you and Calvin and I are praying for you!
ReplyDeleteKatie
You have GOT to be kidding me. You were at SETECA Wednesday and Thursday, and I was at SETECA Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and the following Wednesday. I missed you by hours.... But we stayed in the same place in Guatemala!! CRAZY. I saw the ash too..... What room did you stay in?? I stayed in room F. I really really wish I could have seen you!!
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