Amazing Antigua!

I knew when I was popping back Malaria pills and furiously using up the ink from our church's copy machine for ESL supplies that I was about to fall in love with a new country and the anticipation that has been coursing through my veins has now been replaced with gratefulness and joy as I explore beautiful Antigua, Guatemala! It is hard to believe that only two days ago I was sitting on the tarmack of Dallas in a plane, assessing what I would do if the poor cat lady infront of me decided to have the panick attack she had loudly been warning us about for the last three hours (she somehow got past security with a cat in a bag and poor Muffin had been in there for seven hours-it was pitiful) and that two days before that I was celebrating grad with my wonderfully supportive and loving extended family! (Thank you to all who came, Jord and I are grateful for you!) As I called Mom and Dad with an update about how a tornado warning (I think I screened "tornado" with "bad weather" for Mom's sake) had stopped all flights in and out of Texas, I wondered if I would make it to Guatemala City that night to meet my Professor who I hoped hadn't given up on my plan getting in. Travelling alone was definitely a growing experience as I'm pretty sure I need to verbally process what is going on...so the Lord sent a older gentlemen who works with World Vision. He calmed my fears about a custom's inspection (sorry Mom and Dad-I didn't tell you that part but it was for the Swine Flu) and we had a lovely chat about the inclusion of critical thinking in Education while I stared out the window watching Volcano's spew red hot lava as we had finally been granted the go ahead to Guat City. It was an incredible sight and conversation. He gave me his card and told me to contact him if I ever wanted to work for World Vision. I finally arrived at 1am in Guat City, and I was very glad to see my Prof standing at the gate! I think I talked his ears off on the ride to Antigua, and then at 2am I found my bunk and crawled in.

I awoke to a bird that actually chirps like an alarm clock and walked outside my villa to see one of the most astounding views I've ever seen. Our first day we spent travelling in the heart of Antigua. We rode the bus into town and sat four to one seat! I was crammed in between farmers and a family so we had a great time getting to know one another. Thankfully, the smells here are not similar to those in India. =) I feel very at home here and feel this culture becoming a part of my heart already. We went to the open air marketplace and I resisted buying all jewelry in sight and we made friendships with the people there. We then visited a nunnery and toured the town square. Our hosts know a lot about the surrounding history of Antigua and we have been very blessed by their hospitality on campus. Fuego Christian College is at the base of the mountains and it contains 2 acres of lush gardens full of exotic plants and flowers. There is a beautiful meeting house and we eat meals in an open patio between the gardens. As I made a fruit salad with fresh bananas, mangoes and papayas I thought my heart was going to burst out of love for this place! The weather is really pleasant (about 75F) and there is a constant breeze.

I am now Senorita Laura at San Pedro de las Huertas township school, and it was a blessed morning!! I'm teaching three grade 2 classes from 9am-11am with my classmate Brittany, and the students' eagerness and participation is astounding. Their precious faces light up with excitement when we master a word and they laugh at me when I say something funny in Espanol. We taught them greetings and about farm animals today- and I called a duck "un plato" instead of "un pato," which means I called a duck a plate all day. haha! I thought that was weird that a plate could also mean duck. I could hear Jordan laughing at that one. haha. At recess I read to the kids from the Spanish books I brought(thank you Tonya) and I was impressed at their literacy abilities. They are gifted and beautiful children! Tomorrow after teaching at San Pedro's I'm accompanying a Young Life leader (Guat's version) to teach about principles and values at a private high school. Two other guys from my team are going with me and we are preparing a drama about letting the Lord control our thought patterns and connect our heads to our hearts through his word. This is something I'm currently learning in my own life as I can struggle with the battle of performing for man vs. doing it for the Lord, whether it be teaching, tour directing, etc. When I was given this topic, I'm sure Jesus was smiling. The leader we are going with teaches these principles in Guatemala and because of the positive impact the classes are having on students, the public system allows him to use Biblical values as the core of the curriculum. Thousands of youth have come to Christ because of it and I'm honored to get to go! Thanks for reading about what I'm learning and experiencing so far- I love you all and will write more soon!
(thanks Jord for this account. Ps. Let's travel Central American together, mmk? )

Colossians 2:6-7

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."