Beautiful Buena Vista!

Hola friends!!
Today we began very bright and very early with a continental-style breakfast that lasted from six to six-thirty. At seven, the team embarked on a two-hour journey through beautiful Guatemalan countryside towards Buena Vista, which is located in a very rural área near the Pacific Ocean. I think the first thing we noticed after exiting the vans was the intense heat and humidity of the day, even at nine o' clock in the morning!

While our Guatemalan friends began the faith lessons for adults, Kevin took us Gringos to a school in Buena Vista. The school was rather small, but the children were really sweet. Then, we piled back into the van and drove through sugar cane fields to a village called Xaya (pronounced Shiyah). Only two other teams have had an opportunity to visit this village! There, we saw another school, which was larger and had plenty of children playing soccer/basketball on a court. Not surprisingly, Andrew jumped into the game right away, while the rest of us saw the classrooms and introduced ourselves to some of the children.

We then went on two house visits! The first was at the home of a very beautiful woman named Anna Maria (whom I especially loved because my momma's name is Ann Marie), and the second was at the home of a lady named Hilda. Both women were very sweet, and invited us into their homes to pray. I must also take this time to say that it's very inspiring to go on house visits with people like Oscar and Odie, because their faith and love for Christ and for others is so inspiring. It's also amazing to see all of the growth (or "Guatemala Growth," as we call it) that is happening within the team as we minister to others and step out of our comfort zones.

After house visits, we needed to head back to Buena Vista to teach faith lessons to the children. BUT FIRST! Oscar led us to a long, old bridge that was suspended high over a river. Almost all of us braved the tight-rope like bridge, though Kevin often tested us by jumping on the bridge while we crossed. It was great to go on our mini-adventure, and the fun successfully distracted us from the heat.

Once we arrived back in Buena Vista, we ate our sándwiches, refilled our wáter bottles, and began preparing for faith lessons. There were around ninety children today. The kids were slightly less energetic than yesterday, but every bit as adorable! Like Tuesday, we sang, taught our memory verse (Hebrews 3:13), performed our skit, and ended with a craft. The kids are the highlight of my day, because while we may feel tired, sick, or overheated, the smiles on their faces and the excitement in their eyes are all we really need to reenergize. There is something truly incredible about getting the chance to love these kids and feel their love in return.

After faith lessons, we loaded up the vans and began the beautiful drive back to our home. BUT FIRST! We took yet another surprise detour to the "'Pointe de Mysterioso!" I'm not actually sure if I'm allowed to reveal what happens at the Point of Mystery, but let me just say that it definitely tested my understanding of gravity, and reinforced Kevin's teaching that "everything is not what it seems." I also had the opportunity to learn some Spanish with Carlos while he practiced his English. Hopefully by next year, I'll have a better grasp on this beautiful language, and be able to talk with my missionary friends and the children!

Back at home, Ginny had prepared an awesome burrito-bar, and set up the store! The store is full of beautiful, handcrafted purses, blankets, Bible covers, toys, and many other things. I'm sure all of us will have a tough time deciding how much we can take home without going bank-rupt.
I think we're all pretty exhausted, but today was absolutely wonderful. Overall, I love the beauty of Guatemala, the wonderful, loving people we've bonded with, and being able to witness all the ways God is working in others and in myself. He is so gracious and faithful to us, and here in Guatemala, His glory and love is so clear to me.

I want to leave you with Psalm 105:1-4, which says, "Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to Him; tell of all His wondrous Works! Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His presence continually!"
As we say here in Guatemala,
Dios le Bendiga!
Adiós,
Zara Kasey