Central America Revisited – Day Eight

“I have the impression that the passion of Christ is being relived everywhere. Are we willing to share in this passion? Are we willing to share people’s sufferings, not only in poor countries but all over the world? It seems to me that this great poverty of suffering in the West is much harder to solve. When I pick up some starving person off the street and offer him a bowl of rice or a piece of bread, I can satisfy his hunger. But a person that has been beaten or feels unwanted or unloved or fearful or rejected by society experiences a kind of poverty that is much more painful and deep. The cure is much more difficult to find. People are hungry for God. People are hungry for love. Are we aware of that? Do we know that? Do we see that? Do we have eyes to see? Quite often we look but we don’t see. We are all just passing through this world. We need to open our eyes and see.” – Mother Teresa No Greater Love

As I come to the close of week one, I find myself once again becoming very emotional about leaving the people here in Guatemala. Not because I have anything to offer them, but because they have offered me so much. Everyone has opened their arms and their hearts. My teacher was amazing as he patiently listened to my struggle with the Spanish language. The people of the Methodist Church here were so gracious in welcoming us as though we were doing something special for them, when in reality, we only came to learn. Even the workers in the glass factory that I visited today, in the midst of their work – which could not be delayed once the glass was hot – were hospitable and courteous.

Tonight we had our parting celebration. We spent a few hours preparing the food and then we shared in the graduation celebration. Olga became emotional once again because our group coming helped the school to go from no students to 18 students in one week. She said that it was an answer to prayer. I would agree with her but in a different way. Olga has been an answer to many people’s prayers, especially the people here in Quetzaltenango. I presented Olga with one of the prayer shawls that the women of our church had made and shared how important this experience was for me because I was finally able to connect with the Methodist Church in Guatemala. I will always be grateful for this experience even if for some reason I don’t have a chance to return.

Tomorrow we are to meet at the school at 5:00 a.m. I don’t think anyone on the team is excited about the time, but we have to do what is necessary. We have about a four hour drive to La Aurora Airport and then we will meet the other team members that are arriving tomorrow. Unfortunately, Norma is not able to come as planned and I will really miss her not being here. Juan de Dios Peña is picking us up at the airport and it is on to phase two. Next week should definitely be a challenge.