Guatemala Term Reflections

Bonnie

The cliché phrase that studying abroad will be the best experience of your life is absolutely true and an understatement. My time in Guatemala has been the part of my life where I have grown the most spiritually and intellectually. Initially I couldn’t understand how daily I was able to see the world from a new perspective and experience new things, but it always happened. God has opened up my eyes to his world. I began to understand a little more about how huge his power and love is

Christie

Guatemala Term was an unforgettable experience. I learned so much about who God has created me to be, including my strengths and weaknesses, as well as the passions and callings He has placed on my heart. Experiencing life from another perspective also motivated me to examine my priorities and how they are represented in my life. The friendships I formed with both group members and Guatemalans have blessed my life and amplified my understanding of God.

Amy

I don’t know even how to begin to describe what an amazing experience this has been for me. I have learned so much spiritually, emotionally and mentally. I learned so much about the Latino culture and society and I enjoyed every minute that I have spent here. I love how concerned they are for people and how relationship oriented they are. It was a refreshing break from our culture that is so individually centered. Spiritually God has taught me lots especially in the area of patience and trust. There have been so many times that I just had to rely and trust for things to make sense for me. You are taken out of your comfort zone and your ways of looking and the world and life are challenged. I am amazed at how it changed how I look at the world and the United States especially. The ministry site was amazing, I was so blessed and encouraged by the people there and I have learned so much there by way of Spanish and life in general. I would not trade this experience, I love what I have been taught and how God has used my pathetic attempt to try to serve him and bring him glory.

Amanda

"I have been learning a lot while here. I am enjoying my Spanish class, but I miss my ministry site. At the beginning I wasn't sure what to expect to get out the of the Agriculture/Appropriate Technology Site as a nursing major. God really humbled my heart. He taught me that I need to be wiling to serve Him in whatever way he calls me too. I included a picture of the family we built a chicken coop for and a picture of my ministry team wearing crowns of chicken wire with Jenny the daughter of the family. Dona Josefa is the name of the indigenous woman in the picture. She is the grandmother of Ana, the woman we built the chicken coop for. This woman works so hard and helped me to appreciate how hard people have to work for so little. She is so proud of her culture and this is so inspiring to me. I learned about culture and love of God in so many people I met in El Gorrion and Magdalena and I can't wait to go back."