Ahora Vivo en Guatemala

Hola!!

So, today has been the longest day. hopefully my post doesn't get to  be as long. it started with being at the airport at 3:45am, flying to Miami, and then connecting to Guatemala City.

Once I arrived in the city, reality had not sunken in. Here I had landed in the place I am going to call my home for 3.5 months and I was trying to convince myself it was my reality!

The flights went without a hitch, so that was a blessing. On the flight to Guatemala, I sat next to a gentleman in his late 30s-young 40s who did not know any English....and yet he would not stop talking. I guess this was a good thing. He couldn't believe that I didn't have a boyfriend and wasn't worried about getting married. He said I would have to within a couple years! Its funny to see how the Bethel bubble exists outside of St. Paul. Anyways, it was great talking to him and good help for my spanish because now my brain is on overload. But, i know this experience will be amazing.

We drove to Magdalena which is the town where we will be doing our ministry sites and got to meet our host families. My wishes of having more brothers and sisters has been fulfilled! I am know the proud member of a family with 7 children and one grandchild. They are the most adorable people in the world. (I know this doesn't mean much coming from me, but I am serious) I can not wait to get to know them....although I am going to have trouble remembering their names. Jonathon (7) has already drawn me a picture that I know I will keep forever. They also have a dog named Oso (bear, for all you nonspanish speakers) which I hope will help me to not miss Kobe as much.

I stay in the house of the town's pastor (Mario) and his wife (Ingrid) was excited to have 3 new daughters (me, sydney and becky). Because he is the pastor, all our meetings are held at his guest house, God must have known this would be beneficial for me since instead of getting lost in the city, I just have to walk down some steps.

The steps here are pretty uneven....and if you know me really well you would understand why this is an area of concern. i will be extra cautious though. enough said.

The people here all seem so beautiful. The view and city is incredibly beautiful as well. I can not wait to begin exploring this country and filling my time with adventures.

It is really cool because my house has a roof that we can go on to do homework and such. It has the most amazing view. In the background are the mountains, and you see a whole overview of the city, it is just precious....I am hoping to see a sunset/rise from there sometime soon.

It is crazy to think I am going to be living in a whole new world. Its going to be hard to remember to not flush my toilet paper and to always use my water bottle if I want to brush my teeth, but I know that this experience will be worth it. So far I have realized I have only forgotten two things, so that is pretty good for me. The spanish is a little overwhelming, but so far I am handling myself pretty well.

To all the people back home, I miss and love you lots. Besos!!

Con amor,
Laura