The mornings in Guatemala are simply breath taking with the aroma of coffee and a slight breeze that helps refresh you for the day that is about to begin. All of us in Guatemala are trying to get used to the 2 hour time difference, even though there were a lot of stories of students waking up, looking at their watches and thinking that they were a hour or so late to breakfast. Breakfast itself was very interesting and new. We were served bean dip and quaso with plantains and scrabbled eggs. After breakfast was over, a van came to pick us up so we could go see some Mayan ruins! The Mayan ruins that we were visiting was known as Iximche and it was home to about 15,000 people who didn't live IN Iximche exactly but they lived AROUND it. Our guide, Luis, was very proud of his Mayan culture and he was able to tell a lot of new and interesting details about how the Mayan people lived in Iximche and why certain practices were performed. He told us that the Mayan people very rarely made human sacrifices and that the majority of their sacrifices were animal sacrifices. We witnessed a Mayan Shaman perform a ceremony that was meant to appease the sun god. The Shaman built a fire in which he threw both rum and sugar to create an incense that would make the sun god happy. We also had a chance to see 3 women have their own silent ritual were they knelt around a small camp-size flame. After the tour of the Mayan ruins we went to a restaurant that had gorgeous scenery and delicious delicacies. While we were at the restaurant it started to drizzle a little bit which helped added to the already lovely scenery. Once every one was full from the delicious meal, we got back on our bus and headed out to Antigua! At Antigua, a lot our the students were able to test out their haggling skills and were even able to learn a few tricks here and there. Over all, the day was full of exciting and new experiences that your students themselves will want to tell you. With love from everybody here :)
Everybody is safe and sound. :)
Can't wait to see pictures of this place! Wish we could be there to experience these new experiences with all of you but will have to do that through you! Thanks so much for the refreshing update tonight. We will be praying for you tomorrow as your work for the Lord really begins. Janine Peterson
ReplyDeleteLove your humor, Katie & Phillip! Couldn't help but wonder who the surviving students were! :-) Glad everyone is safe. May God bless your work among the 'treasures' of Guatemala!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Bruce, Inge, Bo, and Mitz
It's so great that the team started their trip with a chance to enjoy ,experience and taste Guatemala before they start their work week. Our prayers will be with you today as you embark out to spend your day at the city dump to help God's " Treasures". Kathryn Leontiev
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update and the great descriptions. It sounds like you had a very fun and interesting time. We'll kick the prayer into high gear Monday as you start your work projects.
ReplyDeleteBrian
That sounds lovely!
ReplyDeleteRemember guys, everyone over here is fighting right beside you through prayer as you're on the front lines today. Be strong and don't be discouraged!
~Alex
Hey team! Glad you guys are safe, and trust you had a great first day of ministry. 'Hola' to Claire, Katy P, Phillip and Jonathan (aka, Senor B), and Jess. (and Phillip and Jess, how cool is it that your siblings are both in Central America too--so close and yet so far). Praying for you all as you give your lives away this week. Grace and peace--Laura
ReplyDeleteGreat blog Tim! James wishes he could have some quaso - is it a hot or cold dish? Joseph says "eheheheh" We are glad to hear that you are suffering for Jesus as well! Looking forward to hearing about your first day of ministry today! Love from El Salvador!
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