A week in Antigua

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Sometime in March of this year I was invited by my friend, a nephew of Mateo and Cherene Melendez, to join him on a week long mission trip in Antigua, Guatemala. At the time I had already been studying to become fluent in Spanish for around eight months and had not yet left the country, so I immediately accepted the invitation. At first I wasn't quite sure what our mission would consist of specifically, but I understood that we would be heavily involved with the local churches, schools, and orphanages of the surrounding villages. When I arrived in the country I was immediately taken back by the underlying disparities between Guatemala and the United States. There were heavily armed military personnel at every well off commercial establishment and the streets seemed lawless and devoid of any waste management system. What was even more shocking was the vastness of the impoverished members of society within, and especially outside of the major cities. Things I had taken for granted my entire life were often seen as luxury items or simply things only the wealthy few could afford. The government seemed to be generally disliked for their lack of initiative and attitude of complacency that ultimately lead to a sad state of neglected domestic affairs. The situation seemed undesirable to say the absolute least. But amidst all this chaos were the groups of missionaries like us who sacrificed their time to be with those in need. These missionaries, Guatemalans, people from the States, and others from around the world have been making a difference in the lives of millions year after year and I could not have been happier to be a part of it. On the first day we cleaned and worked on a home that was being graciously built for a mother of nine whose husband had recently passed away. To be able to make a difference in her life, even if it was only just, showed me from the beginning how happy it made me to serve those in need. The next day we visited a school in the pueblo of San Andres Itzapa and played with around 400 kids who only had access to clean water two times a week. Despite their hardship, they were more than willing to listen to me describing how to play wall ball (among other games) in broken Spanish with smiles and laughter. Probably my most memorable act of service however came on a Sunday with the guidance of a local man known simply as Pastor. We spent the whole day walking around handing out bags of food and getting to know the wonderful people that made up his town. It was emotional and incredibly gratifying to see the graciousness and passion of everyone we met. Overall I came out with a new perspective on my position and life and how I can use that to help others as I sort of expected. But I could have never anticipated the depth with which I was changed through the personal relationships I created and the service I fulfilled. I would like to sincerely thank Mateo and Cherene Melendez for not only accepting me as one of there own for a week, but also the incredibly rich experience I had while under their guidance.
P.S: You can go ahead and mark John William and I down as members of next years trip!

Comments

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  Mateo Melendez on 7/13/2016 12:47:30 AM

  John,
  
  What an awesome privilege to have you join us for a week of service! I loved watching you entertain the school children and also I saw your big heart when you rolled around on the floor, rocked and fed the bed babies in the malnutrition center.
  
  I am so glad that you were able to meet Pastor and his family. He is an incredible example of what a Christ follower, father, and a good man look like. A day for the memory books for sure!
  
  Thanks for jumping in as part of our crazy, loving family! Thanks for making my coffee in the mornings! We look forward to your joining us next summer! Blessings on a great senior year at Young Harris!!