In The Streets of Xenacoj – Guatemala
When I close my eyes, I can see the streets of Xenacoj. The streets in this small Guatemalan village are made of concrete. They are sometimes empty, but there often filled with the hustle and bustle of activity.
Stray dogs walk against the walls of the homes that outline the streets.
Horses are guided from one place to the next carrying large bundles of wood.
Women carrying baskets on their heads move around the streets. The baskets are filled with fabric and food. Meanwhile many of the women are also carrying a little child in a sling.
Every once in a while, a drunk man is sitting on the corner – delirious to other pedestrians.
Children walk the streets in groups of 3 or 4. They laugh and make up games as they hang out together.
Motorcycles occasionally roll past. Buses motor by with passengers being transported to and from other nearby villages.
Paid armed men stand guard at the front of various stores than are scattered on each street.
Most of the walls are bare concrete. Some are whitewashed with lime and water. Political signs are painted on the walls. Any windows that are right on the street are protected with metal bars. Convenience stores are located on every block.
The streets are a collage of color and community.
I’ll always remember trying to get from one end of the village to another spot in the village as we were installing stoves in the homes of widows throughout the community. As I walked with a group of four students, we were stopped by local emergency personnel. They informed us that there was a swarm of stinging bugs between us and our destination. We waited for nearly twenty minutes in hopes that the swarm would dissipate. Finally, we determined to make it to the next home. The police officer cleared us to go, and we took off quickly down the street. About half-way to the home, we encountered hundreds of giant black wasp-like insects flying all around us. I knew we needed to keep moving. Despite the fact the a couple of these insects landed on us, we miraculously made it past the swarm without a single sting.
This summer, our family will be returning to the streets of Xenacoj where we will have the opportunity to serve the community alongside GO! Ministries and others. I’m looking forward to walking along these familiar streets. I’m looking forward to seeing the sights and hearing the sounds. And most of all, I’m looking forward to seeing the people and interacting with them in the streets of Xenacoj.
To find out how you can help the people who walk these streets every day, click here.
What is it like on your street? What is your favorite thing about your street? What would we see if we walked on your street today?