Sunday, November 8, 2015

A land of great contrast

As I write this blog I'm sitting in a beautiful outdoor mall with an ambiance that sometimes has me questioning where I am at the moment.

In contrast, just a few days ago I was walking the streets of a slum area called La Limonada where about 60,000 people live and most have no idea how they will survive from day to day.

In contrast to that, I spend the weekend before in Panajachel - a town where many Mayan families come to try and sell anything that will give them an income for that day.  While they are just trying to earn a few dollars for the day, my friends and I paid to go zip lining over the beautiful forest overlooking Lago Atitlán, 3 volcanos, and majestic mountains.  When those Mayan families are done for the day, they then have to climb those beautiful mountains to return home.
This is pre-ziplining!
None of us took our cameras, and deeply regretted it afterwards!!!

However, these are just a few of the stunning views we could see as we zip lined!!!


And a one of the suspension bridges we crossed by foot!
This was our last challenge after zip lining.  Crossing the swinging steps.
It was way harder than it looks!!!

I wrestle with these contrasts daily.  I wrestle with how to process the overwhelming number of people living in poverty.

I wrestle with knowing if there is anything I can do to help, or why I'm even here.

During the Synergy conference I attended, I was thankful to connect with many others asking the same questions - both Americans and Guatemalans! I liked how they helped to give the big picture of the hurts, healing, and hope that has happened, and continues to happen here in Guatemala.
In contrast to being overwhelmed and feeling hopeless, I can trust in the plans of our good God.  He knows and loves each one of us more than I could ever image and I know that He is both hurting with us when we are hurting and working out His plan which is beyond our comprehension!!!

Some of the graves at the National Cemetery
Looking over the area affected by the mudslide