This was just a bonus as our purpose here was to put on some gear and throw ourselves across hundreds of feet of Guatemalan countryside, hundreds of feet above the ground and hope for the best. While waiting for our turn, we stopped to take pictures, group pictures, and more pictures in front of the 3 volcanoes and suddenly one of them (the active one) began to vent (just smoke, but still exciting)…another bonus. Finally our turn. We climbed a platform, signed our lives away and each of us was handed a pile of gear and a helmet. One by one we stood still while a zip guide clicked and looped and strapped us up with a bunch of ropes and a few spanglish words. Then we stood on a box one by one, much like a plank on a ship, and were hurled, one by one, into the air at unbelievable speeds. We did this several times increasing in height and length each time. At some point, we climbed a 120 ft ladder which we jokingly referred to as Jacob’s ladder.
We thought this was the pinnacle achievement of the adventure, however Superman was still to come. Waiting for the hurdle from the Superman tower was much like the moment you think you might be about to die and there’s nothing you can do about it. There were hugs and kisses and thoughts of Jesus. And then….you fly…like a bird. Nothing like it. Followed by massive impact at the end and plans to visit the chiropractor upon US arrival. Tasia, our 90 lb, 17 year old, sadly had to be in a sitting position for Superman, rather than fly like a bird, (100 lb minimum weight limit) but she was such a trooper being quite unnerved about the whole thing to begin with.
Following this life changing event (that we all survived, for the record) we were whisked away to quite possibly one of the best meals of my existence. Sky Cafe, deep blue painted walls, open air, practically at the base of Agua Volcano, we were served like royalty with platters of battered deliciousness and a trio of meat and sauces and tortillas, quesadillas, bacon topped jalapeño poppers, chicken spring rolls and fried yucca. A specialty there was Limonada Soda served in a soup bowl sized goblet. We were truly grateful for the rest and kindness showed by the staff and thankful to have both feet firmly planted on the ground once and for all.” ~Mary
“The Antiqua marketplace is fantastically overwhelming for a newcomer like me. Vibrant colors, Mayan patterns, bold florals, thick stitching, rich textiles fill the entire space floor to ceiling. Every nook and cranny is filled with displays of carved wood, stamped leather, painted mugs, nativity scenes, painted crosses, T-shirts - even Christian T-shirts, and purses galore. Stacks upon heaps of bags and table runners and every other textile use imaginable.
“Business is business. How much you want to pay?”
“I give you special price.”
Storekeepers with big smiles are eager to show you eeeeeeverything!
Within a few steps, you are gazing into the next store. Some shopkeepers do fall asleep with headphones in; teenagers…they seem so similar in every country.” -Linda
“I led devotions tonight on the topic of sleep - - - ill-timed sleep. The scripture was Matt. 25: 1-13, the parable of the 10 Virgins about the return of Christ. I focused on vs. 5 " . . . and they all became drowsy and fell asleep."
I heard a Vietnamese Pastor speak about the situation of Christians in Vietnam. He said the drink they had been given is bitter. He went on to describe the bitter drink of persecution, suffering and hardships that Vietnamese Christians have experienced.
He then went on to describe the sweet drink the American Church has been given, where we have enough to eat, and we live in comfort and security. We do not suffer persecution or death for our faith. Our drink is indeed sweet he said. But our drink is a sleeping potion.
We are distracted by our possessions, so that we don't spend the kind of time with God that Christians without such possessions do. We can go through our days without feeling a need for God because we can provide for ourselves in many ways.
I was very impressed with our Guatemalan leader last night. After movie night and a game, he suggested that we pray for the needs at Village of Hope. I honestly don't remember the last time I was with friends and a need came up, where we stopped and prayed about it.
My hope and my prayer is that this opportunity God has give us to be on this trip to meet children and adults whose lives are less comfortable and secure than ours, will motive us to be aroused from our sleep to pursue God more intentionally and consistently, despite the sweetness of our lives.” -Ginny
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