Students - Guatemala - July 2021 - July 17

Today was wonderful! It was very similar to yesterday as far as our tasks were concerned, but it was clear we were all becoming more comfortable with our new environment and with our team. After breakfast, we drove to Cruz Blanca and spent the morning delivering more water filters to local families. We all were a bit more relaxed than we had been yesterday, and were able to enjoy some genuine conversations through our translators. One family was especially talkative; when we entered their home, they brought us all chairs and we sat with them for a while just talking. We heard about how they had slowly built the home that they lived in together over the course of a decade. We heard about how COVID-19 interrupted their work, and got to see the beautiful embroidery which the mother had started working on to fill that time. It was very encouraging to be welcomed into the home of believers who live in vastly different conditions than we do, but share the joy and hope which is ours in Christ. 

     In the afternoon, we delivered a few more water filters, but we were primarily occupied with continuing yesterday's construction project. We all enjoyed getting to join together in conversation while we worked hard, and it was honestly just fun being outside and being together. After a few hours of work, we were treated to a lovely dinner out by the staff of the school here. Apparently they had planned a board meeting at a nice restaurant, but plans fell through and they had a reservation to fill... So our tired, goofy group ended up dining on some delicious Cordon Bleu in the boujee downtown district. In all seriousness, we felt very blessed and honored to be given such a wonderful gift. Today we became a bit closer, a bit sleepier, and a bit more aware of the good work that the Lord is doing here in Guatemala. Thank you all for your prayers, we'll see you soon!

- Carter Byron