Guatemala - Day 4

Let me start this post by saying...boy, am I glad I don't have to drive in Guatemala!!! Our bus driver, bless his heart, scares the mess outta me! LOL Traffic here is nuts...it's the worst I've ever seen! It's so common here to literally run up the bumper of the person in front of you. People walk all in between the cars and buses...for real, like interstate traffic and there will be people in between the lanes! Motorcycles just drive in between the lanes of traffic. The cars and buses cut each other off like there's no tomorrow. Horns honkin' all the time, yet they all remain calm...no road rage! LOL It's seriously crazy...I don't know how they don't have wrecks all the time...but they don't. WHEW :) Oh and another thing, everything here measured in KMs (kilometers) so it's funny to see our bus's speedometer maxes out at 160...LOL! Gas here is $31.99...of course that is in Guatemalan money and it is sold in liters not gallons...but still funny to see on the signs! One of our dollars is worth almost $7.50 here. Crazy!

Well, today was an adventure! After breakfast we loaded the buses and headed out to another community. We started out ministering in La Esperanza - Villa Nueva. We had a wonderful morning and the children were just amazing. They were all so welcoming and loving! They really enjoyed the To Be Loved skit, most of the children thought it was so funny! We got to pray with them and again so many of them wanted their pictures taken so I could show them what they looked like on my camera. It was precious! After ministry we were able to shop some crafts that were made by the local ladies, it was neat to be able to support the local village. They were so appreciative of the team coming to minister, it was just awesome!
When we left the village, we headed to McDonald's for lunch. We were treated to Quarter Pounders and fries along with a hot queso pie...I had never heard of such but it is basically our hot apple pie except its like a cheesecake filling instead of fruit and its still fried instead of baked. They were really good! ;) It was sort of funny because at one point we realized we sitting in Guatemala eating at a McDonalds (across the street from a WalMart) and they were playing Taylor Swift on the radio! For a minute you forget you are in Guatemala...then you spot the menu board and see its all in Spanish! Hahaha
After lunch we headed out to another village in a very remote part of Villa Nueva (New Village). After traveling a long winding dirt road we wound up in a small community of metal shacks filled with families. As we unloaded the buses a storm began moving in. It was so nasty looking but the team was determined to minister. So we spread our tarp and got started with prayer, asking God to move the storms past us. As the team prayed their prayers turned into worship as they started dancing to Break Loose. The clouds began moving and the sun began to peak through the clouds. But when we started with our first set and the heavens opened up...they persevered even through the pouring rain. Eventually we had to retreat to the buses and cover all the sound equipment. We waited out the storm and when it finally let up we went out and did one last dance then we told the people we would be back Sunday instead. Before we left we handed out snacks and drinks. What was crazy was the people didn't leave during the storm, in fact they kept coming...in the rain! They were desperate to hear God's word! We can't wait to go back Sunday!!!
So back to the hotel we went, soaked to the bone but full of joy from what we had just experienced. After some quick showers and a dry change of clothes we were off to dinner :) then devos and off to bed so we can do it all over again tomorrow! :)
Until then...
Love & Blessings :)