My Guatemalan Education

Another post from Rush....who is apparently trying to take over my blog. :)

I recently returned from a short term medical mission trip to the Pacific Coast of Guatemala with a team from my church. Thirteen of us spent eight days in the beautiful Central American country providing medical care to some of its more needy communities and working with a missionary who has dedicated much of his life to Guatemala and its people.

I met incredible people and got to do things that I never thought I would do in my lifetime. Releasing a baby turtle into the Pacific Ocean, spending hours painting faces of little kids, pulling a tooth, helping with a surgery (more like a minor procedure --- but to me, it was surgery), playing soccer on the beach, laughing non-stop at inside jokes, and connecting in a new way with Christ are just a few of the memories that are now forever a part of who I am.

People have asked all types of questions since my return. What did we do? (Work & have fun) What were the people like? (Awesome) Would I go back? (Yes) What did I “get” out of the trip?

When I think about that last question I realize I got a lot of things out of my short time in Guatemala. An appreciation of a different culture, a renewed passion for missions and friendship come to mind. But most of all, I got an education.

I learned that we are all the same. Kids. Adults. Churches. We are all made in the same image and we all need the same things.

I learned that broken Spanish makes Guatemalan kids laugh. More broken = more laughs.

I learned that doctors, dentists, pharmacists & nurses do amazing things every day --- everywhere.

I learned that in some circles of Guatemala I’m known to be quite an artist.

(In America I can’t draw.)

I learned that I can do things that are outside of my comfort zone.

I learned that a multivitamin can give hope.

I learned that this world doesn’t make sense sometimes.

I learned that one little girl in Guatemala thought I was Justin Timberlake, even if just for a minute.

I learned that contentment doesn’t come from stuff. It comes from relationships, from community, from Christ.

I learned that Virginia really isn’t that hot.

I learned I love my church even more than I thought.

I learned that trying to fulfill Christ’s Great Commission is hard work, but it’s also the most enriching and rewarding work I’ve done. And as Christians we have a lot more work to do.

So why go on a mission trip? Why spend the vacation time and money? Why be away from family, friends and comfort for a week? There are a million reasons one could give I guess. For me though, it was all about getting an education.