*My alarm went off bright and early this morning (5:30, to be exact) to awaken me from the realms of slumbering night into those of dawning day. It being already in my hand, I pushed its little button and arose. Packing and preparing myself for the day, I managed to get everything ready before seven, when Arvid had demanded we be down at the church for breakfast.
We ate a hasty meal, went into the kitchen to thank our cooks and their helpers, and then went out in front for group photos. This was it. The time was approaching....
I embraced Ester, her arms about me as well. We hugged for a few moments, both very well knowing what this meant. Finally, I let go of her, farewelled a few more people, then took my place with those who had finished their good-byes.
As we were turning to go to the gate, we spotted Ester. Her eyes were red and swollen, and she swiped at them hastily as she hurried to her next task. I felt so incredibly sorry to be leaving her, but did I have a choice?Her place is here, with her people, and mine, for now, is with my people. It saddens me that I shall most likely never see her again on this earth, but we can rest assured that our loving Father is One and the Same, and that He has a perfect plan for our lives. And, in the end, we shall be gathered to Himself, and there see each other.
I would also like to pray a blessing over the children of Guatemala. Such sweet, innocent little things they are. I pray that God would bless them abundantly, put His guardian angels over them, bind the devil, and prosper their lives. I also would lie to bring forth in prayer the falsities of ancestor worship. God, please make these people realize the Truth of Your Word minus the extras they add to it! Oh, and the witch whose house we passed on the road, help her to find you.
That being said, I shall proceed with the events of the day. After breakfast, Hannah and I walked to the tortilla factor, but there was really nothing of interest there, so we went back to the hotel to get a few last minute things ready. The vans were here at 8:05, and got us all safely to Huehuetenango, thanks to God. We checked in the hotel quickly, then made our way to the Zaculeu ruins- which are remnanats of the ancient Maya! Upon rich, green grass rose temples, a ball court, quarters for priests, and the like. We were shown what is thoguth to be the bowl where they placed the hearts of their human victims, walked up the very steps the victims did...and lived to come down. We also saw the museum and did some shopping where I got a notebook for myself and a bookbag for my mom.
At 4:30, we gathered downstairs in the hotel and made our way to the dining room, where we met Jeff and Marille Nelson. They shared a bit about what they do- mostly train people to share the faith with others here in Guatemala. Some are trained as storytellers to go around telling Bible stories and then eliciting from their audience a few questions that probe into the story. Others are trained as pastors, etc.
We ate a long inner with them and then decided to have a pool party. More like a fool party- the water was too cold and everything much too miserable make us want to remain longer than thirty minutes.
Thanks be to God- they have internet here! That meansFacebook! I posted two status updates!
In Christ,
Brittany Goodrich
*I'm having a hard time capturing these, but in case you're wondering, the reason I took a pciture of just the sky was because it was right over where the Mayans were thought to have placed the hearts of their human sacrifices (which is pictured above it). We weren't sure where exactly the sacrifices actually took place, but I wanted a picture of the sky because it is the last thing many of my fellow human beings saw.
