Guatemala Recap

The past 2 weeks have been quite a blur.  It is hard to believe but 2 weeks ago I began my trip to Guatemala with very few expectations.  The one thing I knew for sure was I would be fixing computers. I have felt for some time the Lord tugging at my heart towards missions and when I had the opportunity to to to Guatemala to fix computers, I jumped at the chance to go.  What I did not know was what the Lord would teach me while I was there.

When I landed with 3 other members of the team we first met Steve Osborn. Steve is a missionary to Guatemala who currently runs a children's home with his wife.  We also met a man named Darby. Darby is a native Guatemalan. He was our driver the first two days.  We stopped for dinner at "Pollo Compero", a local place which was a mix between kentucky fried chicken and pizza hut.  We then made our way to a missionary hosting home. Sort of a bed and breakfast for missionaries.  Here are a few pictures I took the next morning after breakfast.

We then made our way to Panajachal where we would be attending Intermissions 2012 conference to serve as the tech team to fix the missionaries computers. On the way (3+ hour drive) we saw many beautiful sights. I have tried to include a few pictures to give you an idea of how beautiful the countryside is.

Along the way we had a unique opportunity to meet a local who made fresh tortillas. She took some time to share with us the process. The pictures are not the best, but give you a good idea of what we saw.

After we purchased our tortillas we met up with Steve (local missionary) who was delivering some support money to a family. While Steve talked to the Mother, we spent some time with her kids. Below is some pictures of them.

Next we arrived at our hotel. It is very nice and we were certainly blessed. We ate lunch and the  proceeded to our assigned room to set up. Shortly there after we started accepting computers and spent most of the next 48 hours working on computers. Here is a few pictures to help get an idea of what we did.

After 2 days of hard work we then began our ride back to Guatemala city.  We exited the city of Panajachal much the same way we entered, on winding roads into the mountains.  We saw more of the beautiful country side and 3 hours later arrived in Antigua. As we entered the city we drove through the crowd that was gathering for a celebration. Each year during Lent on Sundays the people of Antigua (a largely catholic city) gathered in the square. There was a parade that goes right by the Catholic church there and when the parade ends, the Cardinal of Guatemala gives a speech.  This was truly a unique experience that few get to see.  Below are two pictures that show just how awesome this time was.

Once this celebration was over Roger (a member of our tech team), Steve (local missionary) and I went to a really good local restaraunt and spent the rest of the night getting to know each other. It was the perfect end to an awesome trip. The next morning we woke up at 3:40 am and boarded the bus for the last leg of our trip to the airport.  After a little time in the gift shops, we boarded our plane and 12 hours later I was home safe and sound with Heather and the kids.

This trip was truly a blessing. Thank you to all who supported us not only financially but through prayer. This trip has confirmed for me that the Lord wants our family to be involved in missions.  I am so excited to see what the Lord is going to do in our lives. I am already looking forward to the next trip, but this time as a family.   I hope to take my family to visit Steve and see his mission in Guatemala some day. It would be a blessing to see him again.

Thanks again to everyone! May God bless you this day.

The Bush Family