Guatemala was a very special way to end our outreach. The YWAM base is beautiful, situated a few miles outside of Antigua. Beautiful mountains and volcanoes surround the city, and if you wake up early, it's clear enough to see the scenery in all directions. Because it was our last week, we did a little less ministry and left more time to meet as a team for debrief. Debrief is really crucial because when we leave to return home, it's often challenging. You're suddenly out of this bubble that's been your life for 5 months. It's impossible to process everything during the 5 months, or even in the debrief times, because so much happens every single day of a program like DTS. So we had a really solid time as a team during our meetings, and talked about everything from lecture phase, favorite moments, NIKO camp, and of course the 4 countries we visited for outreach.


Debriefing on the roof...


Typical clothing for Guatemalans...

Besides debrief, we had such a privilege of volunteering at a hospital all week. (Pictures weren't allowed at the hospital.) We got to hang out with kids ages 2-18 who have severe handicaps, mostly cerebral palsy. Most are found on the streets and brought in, and most have no family, no visitors. It was a little overwhelming at first, for many of us, but we quickly fell in love with the kids and were always amazed at how fast the time passed. All of them are in wheelchairs and so we would often just push them around (sometimes fast to get them to laugh) and talk to them, sing to them, hold them. Very few could speak, and so we communicated in other ways. One day, I took a little girl out of her wheelchair and just sat down outside, cradling her. She whimpered a little at first, I think due to her not knowing me well yet, but as I stroked her hair and sang to her, she eventually fell asleep. After an hour, my arm was asleep and my back hurt, but I wouldn't have wanted to be in any other place in the world.

One of my favorites was Mimi. She was a little different looking, and I had a feeling that the other "normal" looking kids might usually get more attention from volunteers, so I decided to hang out with her starting the first day. She was crying a lot when I first noticed her, but as soon as I started pushing her around the courtyard she calmed down and seemed more content. When I would hold her hands and talk to her, she would always smile. She began to recognize me more each time we went. The last day was so cute- I had a little plastic lego piece that I was playing with on the bars of her wheelchair and every now and then I'd touch it to her nose and make a silly sound. She thought this was hilarious, and broke out laughing every time. The sound of her laugh was one of the best things I've ever heard. I was thinking about that a lot...how one of the most beautiful things God ever hears is the joy and laughter of His children, especially ones who are often neglected.

The hospital was the hardest place to leave. It was difficult to walk away for the last time from those kids, especially as some would cry and wail when we'd say goodbye. But I'm so glad we were able to do that ministry, and I know God is looking after them.


Walking in Antigua to the hospital...


Hermano Pedro Hospital...

We had a bit of a stressful trip home, due to a volcano eruption followed by a hurricane. (You've probably seen it in the news.)


Sweeping ash off the sidewalks...




Our travel plans had to be changed and we flew out of El Salvador rather than Guatemala, but it ended up being just fine. It's great to be back in San Jose reuniting with the rest of our team, and graduation is on Thursday!


Airport in El Salvador...