Popún, Guatemala – One Way Community

Hi from Guate!

Our team has been in Poptún, Peten, Guatemala for the past three weeks and we have loved every second of it! We are working with One Way Community, a ministry that began in Chimaltenango, Guatemala in 2017 and has been growing ever since! Their aim is to break cycles of poverty in communities that suffer severely from it. OWC’s mission statement is; “We seek to transform lives in Christ’s name through love, service and empowerment, encouraging growth and change.” What we have seen from these friends the past few weeks is nothing short of that statement. They stand by it and work with everything in them to make a difference for the people in these communities that need it most. It has been an honor to work alongside them and I have been encouraged over and over by what they and the Lord are doing in this place. It has been such a gift to work with these people who have quickly become good friends. All the meals and laughs and Spanish/English lessons shared will forever hold a sweet place in my heart. I’m not ready to say goodbye already!

In our time here, we have spent most of our days in two small communities; Villa Hermosa and Sabaneta. We got to do a lot of different types of ministry here, which was a really neat opportunity to see how our team’s different giftings came out and how we were all able to serve together in different capacities. We quickly made sweet connections and relationships with the families in these communities. In the mornings we would do house visits and get to go meet the people of the community and just chat, encourage each other, and laugh! We were met over and over with the most generous and kind hospitality. I have never felt more loved and welcomed in a place as I have here, it felt like we were part of the family by the time we had to say goodbye. In the afternoons we would spend time with the kids in the school that OWC is building and operating for the community. We did so much with them! We danced and worshiped, prayed and played, taught English and got taught Spanish (my Spanish is on the up and up;)), we did crafts and played soccer, and so much more. These kids were the most tender and sweet kiddos I have ever been around, and if you know me, you know that’s saying something. Everything about this place and these people has stolen my heart. Overall, we were able to just come along OWC and love on these communities and feel so extremely loved by them in return. I think it’s safe to say this has been my favorite place and few weeks of the race so far!

On our days off, we’ve been able to explore Poptún a little and we even got to go to a little lake island (Isla de Flores) a couple times. From two hour trips riding in the back of the truck, to walking to the grocery store just for some air conditioning (it’s TX hot out here), to getting back into running, to cruising with the windows down and music up everywhere we go, we have made the most of our time here. I’ve always been fond of memories and pictures, but they’re becoming extra special lately, I don’t want to forget any of these days nor these people. I’m thankful for the all the life I’m getting to live right now. Gracias Dios!!!

Our whole squad will be heading back to Antigua in the next couple days where we will get to stay at the AIM base! We will be there for about a week and will have debriefs, team changes, and training for the weeks to come. We will also have two new leaders raised up and our alumni leaders will leave the field in about a month. All this to say, there are a lot of big changes in store for us over the next few weeks and while it can be a little scary, I am so excited for what’s in store! Our last three weeks in Guatemala will be what we call “ATL ” and basically what that means is we will have a lot more free rein. We get to go and do what we feel led to do by the Lord. The purpose is to feel a little bit more like real life and learn how to do “ministry” in the mundane moments of everyday life. Stay tuned to see how it all plays out and to hear about all the holy trouble we get into ;). All jokes aside, I am really excited to step into this and I am even more excited to be able to do it in Guate because I have fallen in love with this country and it’s people.

Thank you all for being my biggest cheerleaders! One of my biggest fears coming on the race was being “forgotten” back home but I have felt so loved by all my people. I miss home so much and I can’t wait to be back but I am also so content and full of joy where I am. It’s a constant tension, but I know this season is one that is shaping me and teaching me so much and there is no where else I’d rather be right now.

Jesús te Ama,

xoxo tay <3