Hello friend. Yes you! I've missd you! Even if I just saw you the other day or if I've never met you before. It has been kind of lonely here in Guatemala but it has been nice to talk to you recently and get some of my thoughts out. This week, week 3, which now marks my halfway point, was full of many emotions. Frustration, fear, relief, excitement. I'm learning a lot about what I can handle, what I actually enjoy, and what I am looking for out of life. It is helping me to think more about my future. I graduate from college in less than a year so I've been thinking a lot of my various options: the Peace Corps, a Fulbright scholarship, a job, graduate school. I still don't know what I want just yet.
In addition, as I mentioned in a prior post, it has been tough being aware that I am missing out on relationships with Guatemalans due to my inability to speak Spanish. However, I am blessed for the relationships I have made with the English-speakers who have come to Guatemala to serve. Over 60 people have come through Mission Guatemala since I arrived and although they only stay for a week, I have formed many friendships with them in such a short time. Due to the religious nature of these mission trip teams, I've seen firsthand the many ways in which people worship God and share their religion. This is helping me to develop how I want to express my beliefs and love, in a religious way or not, to others. It is the selfless generosity that I've appreciated seeing the most in these people and hope to emulate.
Seeing the adults from Baldwin Wallace was another highlight of my week. It was great to reminisce about things on campus and to join together in the new experiences here thousands of miles away from Berea. We got to go ziplining which really pushed me out of my comfort zone, but I had a blast.
Being in a foreign country has made me very aware of my "white-ness", something I usually am not conscious of. But I have found that locals look at me slightly differently and other Americans smile trustingly and with the acknowledgement of the shared experience. It made me think about the idea of stranger danger, which I don't necessarily agree with because it asserts the assumption that all strangers have bad intentions and that people we do know can't hurt us. This obviously is not true. I could go on and on with examples, but I understand it is hard to teach children to trust their instincts and to be free to meet new people but remain cautious at the same time. So my advice is to be open to others, friends or strangers, white or brown or black, but as soon as you now longer feel comfortable, don't hesitate to remove yourself from the situation, regardless of if you feel like you are being rude.
FOOD! This is the first week that I've begun to struggle with the food. Trust me, I love the food here- there's tons of fresh fruits and vegetables, tacos, beans, rice, chicken, steak, potatoes, etc. But it is tough because I often eat with the teams each day so we don't get a say in any of their meals. I miss just having options and even when I do go out for food, it doesn't quite taste the same as a home cooked meal or a greasy burger or fried macn'cheese bites. The coffee here is really good though so at least that keeps me going.
Lastly, I am getting a lot accomplished with my work. I am pleased with my photographs and video footage that I've gathered recently and I just am slowly figuring out the order of things. From there, I just have to put the pieces puzzle together to find what looks and sounds just right.
Thank you for taking the time to keep up with my trip and for encouraging me through this whole process. I couldn't have done it without you and your support.
In addition, as I mentioned in a prior post, it has been tough being aware that I am missing out on relationships with Guatemalans due to my inability to speak Spanish. However, I am blessed for the relationships I have made with the English-speakers who have come to Guatemala to serve. Over 60 people have come through Mission Guatemala since I arrived and although they only stay for a week, I have formed many friendships with them in such a short time. Due to the religious nature of these mission trip teams, I've seen firsthand the many ways in which people worship God and share their religion. This is helping me to develop how I want to express my beliefs and love, in a religious way or not, to others. It is the selfless generosity that I've appreciated seeing the most in these people and hope to emulate.
Seeing the adults from Baldwin Wallace was another highlight of my week. It was great to reminisce about things on campus and to join together in the new experiences here thousands of miles away from Berea. We got to go ziplining which really pushed me out of my comfort zone, but I had a blast.
Being in a foreign country has made me very aware of my "white-ness", something I usually am not conscious of. But I have found that locals look at me slightly differently and other Americans smile trustingly and with the acknowledgement of the shared experience. It made me think about the idea of stranger danger, which I don't necessarily agree with because it asserts the assumption that all strangers have bad intentions and that people we do know can't hurt us. This obviously is not true. I could go on and on with examples, but I understand it is hard to teach children to trust their instincts and to be free to meet new people but remain cautious at the same time. So my advice is to be open to others, friends or strangers, white or brown or black, but as soon as you now longer feel comfortable, don't hesitate to remove yourself from the situation, regardless of if you feel like you are being rude.
FOOD! This is the first week that I've begun to struggle with the food. Trust me, I love the food here- there's tons of fresh fruits and vegetables, tacos, beans, rice, chicken, steak, potatoes, etc. But it is tough because I often eat with the teams each day so we don't get a say in any of their meals. I miss just having options and even when I do go out for food, it doesn't quite taste the same as a home cooked meal or a greasy burger or fried macn'cheese bites. The coffee here is really good though so at least that keeps me going.
Lastly, I am getting a lot accomplished with my work. I am pleased with my photographs and video footage that I've gathered recently and I just am slowly figuring out the order of things. From there, I just have to put the pieces puzzle together to find what looks and sounds just right.
Thank you for taking the time to keep up with my trip and for encouraging me through this whole process. I couldn't have done it without you and your support.