In my mind this was going to happen. I thought about all that we would be learning as we prepared to go out of our country on a week’s mission trip to the country of Guatemala. When friends or family asked me what I expected from this upcoming trip south of our border, I knew we would probably be acutely aware of many things we have taken for granted in our lives in America. As Americans we’ve been told that we are more than abundantly blessed to live here. Now we know first hand how true that is, especially in just day to day living.
As we were picked up at the Guatemala City Airport by the YWAM (Youth With A Mission) base missionaries, Bruce and Susy, it only took minutes for us to be in the thick of crazy traffic. There were automobiles, trucks, buses, and motorcycles coming and going in all directions. It seemed like most everyone followed their own rules, whether moving quickly along bumper to bumper, or passing on narrow streets with only a short honk for a warning. The drivers of the cycles have to be exceptionally brave and daring as they weave in and out between vehicles much larger than they are. Several times we saw arms and legs on the cycles just inches from the traffic whizzing by next to it. Several people often ride on one cycle; the most we saw was four, but we were told it could be up to seven! In the back of pickups, it was very common to see the box full of children or workers or even a whole family.
In just a couple hours we arrived in Antigua, which would be our home for the next week. In this smaller, but bustling city, it became more complicated with narrower streets yet, with most being cobblestone or dirt. Sidewalks were few, and the rides very bumpy with the black-gray stones underneath. Dan found it interesting that men were using pick axes to put loose stones back in their places on the city streets. We didn’t see many stop signs, but amazingly we did not see any accidents either.
As we settled into our spacious room in the YWAM mission, we were told about the two most important rules for the week. First, we could NEVER drink the water from the faucets. We had to be sure to get our drinking water from one of the five gallon water containers located throughout the two story mission complex. That water had been through a filter which made it safe to drink. It was plentiful, but we just had to REMEMBER… That meant no brushing teeth with the faucet, or swallowing any water in the shower. I only forgot once while brushing, and started spitting profusely to rid my mouth of the contaminated water. I didn’t want the alternative consequence of diarrhea to complicate my week!
Secondly, and the hardest “rule” to remember, was the fact that NO TOILET PAPER COULD BE FLUSHED DOWN THE TOILET. It is put into a small receptacle near the toilet instead, and thrown out with the trash. Since I am a slow learner, I did forget almost a half dozen times. That, of course, required one to “fish out the paper” quickly, before the handle was pushed. Not a fun activity, and one that made me mad at myself when I forgot!
On day two, we made a trip to the local bank to change our American money into Quetzales. After standing for over an hour outside of the bank for our “turn” to go in, we were greeted by two armed policemen, holding tasers for extra precaution. Needless to say, we didn’t dawdle, just did our transactions and got out quickly. Once we left the bank, we were confronted at every turn in the city market places to “buy” most anything you can think of. Trinkets, toys, clothing, household items, or food. Many things were bright and beautiful, but we needed to be firm and kind saying “ no, thank you” or smiling with a nod of our heads.
One of the days we drove up the mountain, parked our car, and continued to walk 3/4 mile down a dirt road to a wonderful organic outdoor restaurant. Near the parking area was a community “pila”. A place where many women and children were washing their clothes. The automatic washing machines we take so for granted were almost nonexistent among the many of the native Guatemalans. In these areas they scrubbed the clothes in cement, square shaped troughs, rinsing and squeezing water out by hand. Water was gathered from a common reservoir for each individual scrubbing area. Children of all ages were helping to haul the clean laundry away in wheelbarrows or baskets of all sizes, carried on their hips or heads.
After every meal we would do our dishes in four steps. Scraping, washing in soapy water, rinsing, and most importantly rinsing again in bleach water to disinfect the utensils before using them again. In our dental and medical clinics held during the week, we had to make sure all water used was filtered or bought from a store.
On our way back into the country, we landed in the Atlanta airport. My first stop was the restroom, before moving on to pick up luggage to get it through customs. As I flushed the toilet, along with the toilet paper, I yelled excitedly, “ Praise God I can flush the toilet and the paper!!” I forgot for a moment that I was in a public place, and as I exited the stall a woman nearby looked at me and began laughing. She said, “ You must have been out of the country!” We both chuckled together as I smiled and shook my head yes.
We are both glad we made this trip, and maybe we will do it again some day. However, some of things we have always took for granted, will be much more appreciated now.
lbeerman68@gmail.com
