Half Way There!

I am officially more than half way done with language school! I just finished my sixth week and only have four more to go. Life in Guatemala has been pretty busy recently. There was a new wave of students that came through my school about three weeks ago, so I was able to make a couple of new friends and go on some adventures with them. One of these included a hike up to "Cerro de la Cruz." The reward was an incredible view on a very rare day without rain. We were able to see one of the volcanoes very clearly and also had a perfect view of all of Antigua. Beautiful! We also played basketball, teachers against students, and the teachers crushed us. My teacher is about a foot shorter than me, but I didn't stand a chance.

"Cerro de la Cruz"

With my friend, Erika, at "Cerro de la Cruz"

After basketball.  My teacher is on the far right.

My view every morning walking to school.

Two weeks ago, I was told that three new students were coming from Atlanta to live in the same house as me, but I had no idea at that point what that was going to entail. Three women arrived that Sunday to take Spanish classes for two weeks, with the goal of communicating more effectively with the people they work with in their non-profit organization. Within hours of their arrival, they adopted me (they are now referred to as "the moms") and gave me a much bigger picture of Guatemala than I would have ever had, had they not been here. Their non-profit is called "For the Love" and they work to provide jobs for people who are living and working in the dump in Guatemala City. The working conditions of these people are absolutely horrendous and like nothing I have ever seen in my life. They spend their days searching for trash that has some value, so they can sell it, hoping to make about $2 a day. "For the Love" provides jobs making jewelry, sells the jewelry in stores and online, and gives these people the opportunity for a much better life - one that doesn't involve scavenging in the dump.

View from "For the Love" building. Trash that has been brought outside of the dump to be sorted.

Front of the "For the Love" building.

One "For the Love" employee that used to be homeless, but can now afford to rent a place to live.

The entire experience of seeing the dump and surrounding areas, as well as seeing how "For the Love" is completely transforming lives was a very eye-opening and unique opportunity. The moms took me around to some nearby neighborhoods where I met friends that they have made over the years, while being involved in ministry in the area. One woman welcomed us into her home and showed me how to make tortillas. She then let me make one...let's just say that I might need a little more practice before I can keep up with her.

My new best friend...Can you tell by his face?

Last week I also had the privilege of going with the moms to a small village called "Chuchoy." They are thinking of bringing teams there, so we went to check it out. We visited each classroom at the school, where we were greeted by lots of happy children, talked to them for a little bit, and passed out candy. This village has their own language and they don't speak much Spanish, which made it a little overwhelming, but it was great to be able to see a more rural part of the country. This particular village is very poor and lacks basic necessities, but there is a lot of hope and potential for growth here.

One of the students at the school in Chuchoy.

Typical home in Chuchoy.

Last weekend we took a trip to the Pacific coast which was incredible. We spent the day hanging out on the black sand beach and by the pool. A very relaxing day away from Spanish school! On Saturday, we went to the wedding of a friend of the moms. I met a lot of the kids that they have watched grow up through the church that they work with in Guatemala City. It reminded me of the relationships I have made in the DR and all of the kids that I have watched grow up there. It was very refreshing to see that those types of relationships are being made all around the world.  Overall, the past few weeks have been incredible and I really couldn't ask for a better experience in Guatemala so far!

On our way to the wedding.

Sunset at the black sand beach on the Pacific Coast of Guatemala.