I fell in love with Guatemala the minute I sat on the plane across from a old Guatemalan couple who kept staring at me with big smiles the whole trip here. I instantly felt so relieved as I stepped off the plane & felt the warmth hit my skin and the presence of Guatemala. We got to experience the culture pretty quick when we got picked up and taken to our base by Guatemala's local transportation known to only American's as "chicken buses". It's an old school bus painted like a hippie bus that carries way more people than it probably should. You may be wondering where they got their names... Well, from what I've heard (& seen) they often have live chickens riding inside to be taken to markets. 

All the windows were rolled down, the warm air was blowing my hair all around and I miiiight have been a liiittllle sweaty because we were just in the cold USA for the night. I was in absolute awe, as I sat there looking at the beautiful colors that was all across the city. They were so vibrant & happy! Pinks, yellows, oranges, blues & greens- colors I missed but also have never seen cover a city in a way it did here. I didn't realize until that moment how much the bright sun & a touch of color could change the atmosphere. My entire squad couldn't stop smiling, pointing & wowing at each sight we saw! The volcanoes, mountains & towns were stunning. The people here are even more beautiful and so full of joy. My whole squad was ecstatic & full of joy to the very tippy top. 

And as if I thought it couldn't get any better than that, we pulled up to our new home! Oh my goodness! A big open yard, green grass, a soccer field, a fire pit & poles to hang our hammocks! And catch this, a beautiful view of a volcano! 

Each team gets our own room & bathroom! There's a big kitchen/dining room/ kitchen where we can play games, hangout, worship & eat altogether. We all unpacked our bags & made ourselves at home. The first thing I did was set up my hammock!!

Everyone is so family oriented & welcoming. It already felt like home & like family. 

I sat in my hammock, counting all the blessings of the day & of the live I get to live here in Guatemala and receiving all God had blessed me with. Just like He asked me to. 

My ministry:

Each team has a different ministry! My teams ministry is in a small village called "Bola de Oro" which translates to Bowl of Gold! This place & the people are so special. Our ministry is doing house visits, teaching adults English & then kids ministry where we play games, sports, bible studies and teach English. It's been amazing getting to know the families in Bola de Oro where we will be spending the next 2 months ministering to.