I am back in the good ol’ USA, and very thankful to be home again. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be able to visit Guatemala. It was extra special, since my cousin and her husband were the missionaries we went to visit. It was wonderful to see her again (I think we had not seen each other for seven or eight years). Needless to say, she was quite surprised to see me!
Mom caught Misty’s expression when she saw me! Great shot!
The day we arrived, things were pretty hectic, getting everyone and their luggage situated, and settling in for the evening. We were all quite excited, but rather tired from the long day of travel.(We began our day around 3:00 a.m.) We ate dinner and all sat around talking and getting to know one another better. We were a rather diverse group, but we got along so well – it was a blessing to spend time with such a joyful group of Christians.
Our first activity was to visit Parque Nacional Volcan Pacaya, where we hiked up the active volcano, Pacaya. It had been bubbling and hissing for several days, and just before we arrived in the country, the lava had flowed for several hours, causing consternation amongst some of the members of our mission team. However, it was not dangerous at all, thankfully.
Volcan Pacaya from a distance, with a scarf of clouds about its shoulders.
The hike up the volcano was the most arduous I have ever made. It was quite steep, most of the way, and rather than a dirt path, it was slippery lava shale from previous eruptions (the last big eruption was in 2010). In addition to the difficulty of the trail, we also had to contend with altitude. Pacaya peaks at roughly 7,500 feet above sea level. Most of us were coming from 15-20 feet above sea level, and if you have ever made a hike in high altitude, you know how hard it is just to breathe normally while doing any kind of activity. I felt like my lungs were going to burst! As the hours went by, we took frequent rests along the trail, and our bodies gradually acclimated to the difference in altitude.
Our guide and some team members. Me during a rest break.
We finally reached the top of the volcano. As we looked around, we sang “How Great Thou Art” and marveled at the power of God manifested in the scenery.
Here we all are at the top – still smiling despite the workout!
View from the volcano.
View of the top of the volcano (see the steam?)
Me sitting down inside of a volcanic crater. It was hot and steamy in there, from the volcano’s activity.
Our guide, Marvin, roasting marshmallows in a fissure of the volcano.
Store on top of the volcano – notice the “World Famous” sign. Cracked me up! They sold jewelry made with volcanic rock and ash. It was pretty neat.
After we hiked back down the mountain, we ate a late lunch at a local restaurant, and headed to Antigua, where we visited the market and shops. They sell all kinds of produce, as well as souveneirs. We were able to pass out several hundred tracts as we walked about.
The cobbled streets of Antigua, Guatemala
Three little Guatemalan girls holding tracts – notice the one in the traditional sling
Market produce – everything is so fresh and beautiful!
People in the market shops – many of these received tracts.
The artisan shops, where you barter for everything.
The rule of the market is bartering, whether for food, souveneirs, or services. Bartering is quite an art, and we were instructed to pay asking price for nothing, since the locals typically quote a price three times the value of the item in question. It was like a tennis match – back and forth, the vendor lowering the price, and you slightly raising until both come away satisfied. It took a lot of time, but I became adept at figuring the exchange rate in my head and coming away with a good deal.
After darkness fell, we headed back to the church, where we ate dinner, and then collapsed in our beds, exhausted. Thus ended the first day of our mission trip.
To be continued…
