Enter: Zacapa!
Hello everyone!
We've had an amazing 2 days in Zacapa so far! We are getting accustomed to the heat and the bugs, but everyone is happy and healthy! The students 0n this trip have seriously been amazing. We started both days by playing with kids and doing a VBS in Tapata, and these kids latched on to our students. In our debriefing, we talked about how much of a social impact we can make in just a few days--many people in cultures like Guatemala remember people they've met once up to two years later (wink wink Elise, Collin's sister!) We talked about how we might feel better doing construction projects because we can tangibly see the progress we're making, but it's not so easy with social progress. You really never know how much of an impact you're making. The kids in Tapata remembered who it was that played with them and wanted to play the same games. Almost every student had a story of how loved they felt when the kids remembered them, hugged them, and wanted to play some more! We sang songs with them, did our skits, and played "chuga," their version of tag. When we left, we gave them some snacks, and in unison they all shouted "THANK YOU!" in English! These kids are the most grateful, least spoiled kids in the world, and are so willing to share what they have.
In the afternoons, we started a construction project on a Pastor's house. It was a project started years ago, but the Pastor had ministry in other areas at the time. Now he is back here, and has not had a place to come home to in two years. He is currently living with other family members, and there are about thirty of them in one tiny house, with many of them laying side-by-side on a bed outside the house. The students were so excited to help build, and we ended up carrying bags of sand up the mountain to where we needed to start, and then laid the concrete foundations of the house. Throughout the day, our students persevered through the sweat and fatigue, and were so willing to serve. We had to pull shovels away from them to give them a break! I am SO impressed by these students hearts and their willingness to serve, and the way in which they talk about this desire in debriefs.
We then had our first night at the Zacapan church. It was so charismatic and the students (and I!) loved it. We did our masks skit, and we could tell the Guatemalans understood and were impacted by how powerful it was. Pastor Wilmer spoke in his funny, charismatic way regarding how to have the discipline to read the Bible and how crucial it is, because we all need God so bad.
Our debriefs last till over an hour, and the students pour out their hearts about what is impactful for them, what is hard to see, what is cool to see, and what they enjoy the most. A lot of students felt guilty for living in such affluent families, knowing that the only differece between them and the Guatemalan people is thefamily they were born to. These kids didn't choose poverty, and we didn't choose affluence. The students all came to the conclusion that the reason they were blessed, was that they can be a blessing. They have the resources, so that they can give these resources to others. Their souls were put in their bodies in their geographical location to carry out God's purpose of not hoarding what they have, but to be able to give it away. WOW.
Then we have a time of "sweetheart" awards. A couple students will ask for some Smarties candy, and throw it to another student that they think deserves an award for the day, whether it be for being really kind to them when they felt alone or sad, or being willing to listen to their stories. Once it starts, Mr. Brooks has to cut them off because it would go on all night! I certainly tear up a little at the maturity and willingness of these students to be vulnerable with each other. In all my years of Discovery at Valor, I believe I haven't seen a team as connected and without clicks as this one. Wadda team we've got!
Pray that this weekend, we will be able to pour out more love on kids at our retreat! See you in a couple of days! (We will be unable to reach the internet until Sunday so the next blog will come then)
Kaylin
.
We've had an amazing 2 days in Zacapa so far! We are getting accustomed to the heat and the bugs, but everyone is happy and healthy! The students 0n this trip have seriously been amazing. We started both days by playing with kids and doing a VBS in Tapata, and these kids latched on to our students. In our debriefing, we talked about how much of a social impact we can make in just a few days--many people in cultures like Guatemala remember people they've met once up to two years later (wink wink Elise, Collin's sister!) We talked about how we might feel better doing construction projects because we can tangibly see the progress we're making, but it's not so easy with social progress. You really never know how much of an impact you're making. The kids in Tapata remembered who it was that played with them and wanted to play the same games. Almost every student had a story of how loved they felt when the kids remembered them, hugged them, and wanted to play some more! We sang songs with them, did our skits, and played "chuga," their version of tag. When we left, we gave them some snacks, and in unison they all shouted "THANK YOU!" in English! These kids are the most grateful, least spoiled kids in the world, and are so willing to share what they have.
In the afternoons, we started a construction project on a Pastor's house. It was a project started years ago, but the Pastor had ministry in other areas at the time. Now he is back here, and has not had a place to come home to in two years. He is currently living with other family members, and there are about thirty of them in one tiny house, with many of them laying side-by-side on a bed outside the house. The students were so excited to help build, and we ended up carrying bags of sand up the mountain to where we needed to start, and then laid the concrete foundations of the house. Throughout the day, our students persevered through the sweat and fatigue, and were so willing to serve. We had to pull shovels away from them to give them a break! I am SO impressed by these students hearts and their willingness to serve, and the way in which they talk about this desire in debriefs.
We then had our first night at the Zacapan church. It was so charismatic and the students (and I!) loved it. We did our masks skit, and we could tell the Guatemalans understood and were impacted by how powerful it was. Pastor Wilmer spoke in his funny, charismatic way regarding how to have the discipline to read the Bible and how crucial it is, because we all need God so bad.
Our debriefs last till over an hour, and the students pour out their hearts about what is impactful for them, what is hard to see, what is cool to see, and what they enjoy the most. A lot of students felt guilty for living in such affluent families, knowing that the only differece between them and the Guatemalan people is thefamily they were born to. These kids didn't choose poverty, and we didn't choose affluence. The students all came to the conclusion that the reason they were blessed, was that they can be a blessing. They have the resources, so that they can give these resources to others. Their souls were put in their bodies in their geographical location to carry out God's purpose of not hoarding what they have, but to be able to give it away. WOW.
Then we have a time of "sweetheart" awards. A couple students will ask for some Smarties candy, and throw it to another student that they think deserves an award for the day, whether it be for being really kind to them when they felt alone or sad, or being willing to listen to their stories. Once it starts, Mr. Brooks has to cut them off because it would go on all night! I certainly tear up a little at the maturity and willingness of these students to be vulnerable with each other. In all my years of Discovery at Valor, I believe I haven't seen a team as connected and without clicks as this one. Wadda team we've got!
Pray that this weekend, we will be able to pour out more love on kids at our retreat! See you in a couple of days! (We will be unable to reach the internet until Sunday so the next blog will come then)
Kaylin
.
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