Our final days in Guatemala were beautiful in so many ways.
Saturday, November 18 – Sunday, November 19
Still recovering from salmonella and food poisoning back-to-back, it’s fair to say that PV barely survived hiking a volcano. The hike was THE hardest thing I’ve ever done and I still haven’t decided if it was worth it or not (it most definitely was). The hike was almost 7 hours long, straight uphill, while carrying 30 pounds on my back. But shoutout to one of my squad mates, Marvin, who walked and talked with me the whole entire hike. Once we got to the base where we’d sleep, we had an absolutely incredible view of Fuego. For reference, we hiked up Acatenango, which is a volcano that is not active anymore, to get close views of Fuego erupting, which is the neighboring, active volcano. Now when I say “the base where we’d sleep”, I mean this shack. There were four rooms, each with a mega bed made out of a bunch of mattresses, and then because our group was so big, some had to sleep in a tent with no mattresses at all. Thankfully we were all given a sleeping bag which didn’t feel like it did much because it was BEYOND FREEZING up there. Fuego would erupt every 30 minutes or so and it was so surreal every time. We were able to hear the boom from the explosion and we could feel the ground shake from it too. And as the sun went down, we were able to see the lava explode out of the top and roll down the side. After getting little to no sleep, my lovely alarm went off at 3:45am to begin the hike to the summit. Great idea, Peyton. Let’s hike some more. Since it was dark, we all wore our headlamps to guide us as we climbed on all fours STRAIGHT uphill on rocks to get to the top. But it was so worth it. We were able to watch the sunrise and get a 360 view of Guatemala. Because we were at the very top with nothing blocking the wind, it only got colder, so we took in the views, and then quickly began the hike back to the base. Because it was so steep, we thoroughly enjoyed watching people slide down the hill. The hike back down the volcano was about 3 hours. You were either running down or rolling down because there was no stopping the endurance that came with the steepness. It was beyond the hardest thing I’ve ever done and the coldest I’ve ever been, but it was the coolest and most rewarding experience ever.
Thursday, November 23
It’s fair to say that Thanksgiving looked a little different this year. I woke up to the lovely “Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade” playing in the main room through the projector and a delicious pancake breakfast, surrounded of fifty of my favorite people ever. We started the day with the “2023 Thanksgiving Chiky Cup of Champions” squad soccer tournament. We were split up into four teams: Vietnam, Cambodia, Eswatini, and South Africa. I was on team Cambodia with Dawson, Jackson, Noah, Claire, Audrey, Natalie, and Nick Furtado. After beating team Vietnam in PK shootouts in the semis, we also beat team South Africa in PK’s in the final. And not only did my team win, I actually contributed some. After the very humbling comment from Maxi Swan a few weeks prior, “I’m surprised you weren’t last pick”, I knew I needed to up my game. Unfortunately, Maxi was not able to see my new soccer skills because the Swan’s were in Colombia visiting family. But I texted Bill and Katie to let him know that I had improved dramatically to which he responded, “she really is getting better.” The prize for the winning team was a pack of the VERY PRIZED Guatemalan exclusive Christmas Chiky cookies. We ended the day with a huge Thanksgiving dinner, where we all got dressed up and enjoyed togetherness as a squad.
Wednesday, November 29
Today was our last day with one of our ministry hosts, so they took us to a local hot springs pool to celebrate a great season together. Our time spent with Tulio and the Adventuras Missionad women was so special. Through them, our team learned how to truly love and bless people, how to find beauty in the little things, and how connections aren’t stopped by a language barrier. Tears were shed as we shared our final words with each other on how special this season was with them. They cooked a traditional Guatemalan lunch for us and showered us with all of their love in those final moments together. It wasn’t until after we said goodbye that our team realized that the next chapter of the race was almost over.
Thursday, November 30
Our last activation day as a squad! Usually after worship and the session, all of the teams would head into Parramos to do street evangelizing, but since it was the last week, we all went into Antigua for the afternoon. We had some time to walk around the square and street evangelize and since Antigua is a touristy city, the intent was for us to be able to talk with no language barrier. After a few failed attempts at conversation, Maggie, Peyton, and I met this couple from England who have been traveling the world for some time. We used that common ground to talk about what we were doing in Guatemala. This opened a doorway for us to share a little bit about our faith with them and we were able to pray over them before we had to go. While debriefing the activation experience with the team and some staff, we were able to pray over and bless this Guatemalan man who was in need of help. Our whole squad and the AIM Guatemala staff met in the square later on to have a public worship session. And it was SO powerful. There’s something special about worshiping our God in a public spot and it’s even cooler when you can do that surrounded by so many people you love.
Tuesday, December 5
Our last official day of ministry in Guatemala! Tuesdays are soccer ministry days and since we were close to Christmas, we hosted a party along with the soccer ministry. After doing drills for some time, the kids get to have a water break where someone will share a devotional. And since I had been working with these kids for a few weeks, I was asked to lead the devotional. I had grown a relationship with them even through the language barrier, so I decided to share with them my testimony and the reason why I choose the Lord every day. And as routine, we ended the day with a game of soccer. I had been getting so much better at soccer and most of my teammates were sick, so it was my time to shine on the field as the only American. Bill, Maxi, and Ruby came out to watch the game and I was so excited to show them my new and improved soccer skills, especially while playing against the Guatemalans. All was going well until I ran into one of the kids while both going for the soccer ball. His chin hit my left eye, resulting in an immediate swelling and black eye for me. Once again humbled in the presence of Bill Swan. I pushed through and finished the soccer game because yay ministry. Even through the blurred vision, it was so cool to see our base soccer field alive with the energy of joy-filled kids. And I got to be a part of that. Beyond the volcano and through the clouds, we watched the sunset that closed out our final day in Guatemala.
Wednesday, December 6
Our last morning in Guatemala was spent packing and cleaning the base before our departure. We ate our final meal as a squad, said our goodbye’s to the base staff, and hit the road to the airport.
I am forever grateful for that season and all that I learned from it. Guatemala is so clearly covered by the Lord and it will always have a special place in my heart.
One country down, four to go!
