A Weekend in Antigua

Hola Chicos,

LIFT 48 just spent the last two days (Saturday and Sunday), exploring the streets of Antigua (a beautiful and famous city in Guatemala). The city was absolutely beautiful in the heart of the volcanoes and Guatemalan culture. I know we all had an exciting weekend of wonderful weather, good food, and fun activities. 

We arrived in the city at the start of the Holy Week festivities, and if there is one thing I learned about this culture is that they take Holy Week, very seriously. The locals have different processions--holding the coffin of Jesus, around the entire city of Antigua. The women dress up in traditional widow attire, and the men wear purple robes, kids also dress up for the procession and burn incense to mourn the death of Jesus.

On Saturday we all got the opportunity to split up in different groups exploring the city together. Many of the groups went shopping in the local markets (my group purchasing many wool blankets). There were ruins to explore, birdwatching, and many food places to try. My group went to an art museum; where we viewed many of the cultural pieces that make-up Guatemalan art. On the drive back, our bus driver played karaoke that everyone sang along to, and the driver was thoroughly entertained by us knowing every song. It was a great way to end our Saturday.

On Sunday we went back to Antigua for church at Shoreline City Church. The church was in an old Guatemalan building with a courtyard, but the service was very modern. As someone who comes from a background of modern churches, it was very refreshing. It was definitely different for a lot of us. Afterwards we all broke up into groups and walked around before meeting up again to go to lunch. Sunday afternoon we headed back to Magdelena to get some rest before we did the eco hike again.

In our time in Antigua we got to try many food, I went to three cafes: "Fat Cat", "12 Oz" and "Cafe Barista", trying a chai, lattes and an interesting latte mixed with beet juice which was very delicious. Many of the LIFTers (my group included) decided to try out the Guatemalan Taco Bell, and it had a beautiful courtyard where we got to sit, eat, and watch birds landing on the fountain. There was a crepe place called "Luna De Miel" that was heavily recommended to us by one of the leaders here at Students International, as well as my host mom. The crepes were some of the best I had ever tried. For dinner, we all went out to eat at "Sky Cafe" (a Guatemalan restaurant that has a view of the volcanoes) with the entire LIFT group, which was a nice way to debrief our day and catch up with one another.

Something that the Guatemalans truly value here is relationships and intentionality with their community. Without electronics or random busy schedules to divide our attention, when we are with each other, we get to connect with one another, and listen to each other. It does not matter how long we sit at the dinner table, or at the crepe place, because the importance is not in how much we can accomplish today, but how can we connect with one another today. At dinner I saw such a growth with the people I was sitting with. We were talking about some of the difficulties with communicating with out host families with the language barrier, but how much we are willing to try anyway. I know for me dinners with my host mom are something I have started to look forward to each day. Even though I do not understand everything she says, the excitement she has for the stories she tells is contagious, and it's refreshing that many of the other LIFTers are also willingly getting out of their comfort zones to be intentional with those around us, even with this language barrier.

Some prayer requests I have is for continual intentionality with one another, and even though we are all slowly getting tired, that division will not occur within our team. Please pray for prevention from any ailments that can occur. Finally, pray that we will be focused on God's will for our time here in Guatemala, and that we will listen to how He wants to use us, instead of focusing so much on what we think He is using us for. Thank you all for your continual prayers and support for this mission.

Adios Chicos,

Jess Roesler