Re-Entry Reality – Back Home From Guatemala

We made it home from Guatemala on Friday night!

I’m so glad to be home, but there is so much to process.

I’m definitely tired.  The two-hour time difference, the travel, and the lack of sleep the night of our travel day are major contributors to my overall feeling of fatigue.

My brain is still partially in Guatemala.  A few of my dreams even have me speaking Spanish to residents of the town of Xenacoj – the town where we served.  It’s hard to believe that a town of ~8,000 located ~2,500 miles away from home could hold such a place in my heart.

I have a lot to think about and process as I go through the reality of re-entry to the life I know here in Schwenksville, PA.  Over the next few days, I’ll do my best to share these thoughts with you.

Let me give you a small glimpse today of how this trip has transformed me.

When I thought of going on this trip, I knew that I’d have a chance to have an impact on the people of Guatemala, and I figured that they would have an impact on me.  What I didn’t fully imagine was the impact that the students on this trip would have on my.  Our team consisted of 25 students who were in high school or who had just graduated from high school.  This trip gave me the opportunity to hear their stories.  So many of these young men and women have dealt with so much already in their short lives – broken homes, parental infidelity, rejection, emotional problems, and other issues.  Each of them has a unique story to tell of how God has worked in their lives despite life’s challenges.

I had the opportunity to hear these stories and to see these young people in action.  They built a house in 2 1/2 days.  They installed over 30 stoves in the homes of Xenacoj.  They taught kids about the love of Jesus.  And they prayed with complete strangers.  This generation represents hope for the future.  This generation has the ability to make a change for the good.  This generation has a story that needs to be heard.

If you are a student or young person, don’t underestimate the ability and opportunity that you have to make a difference in this world.  Don’t let your fears or insecurities or youth be a deterrent to share your story and to take action.  You can do it.  You deserve to be heard.

If you are not a student or you’re a bit older, open your eyes and ears to the potential that lies in this group of young people.  Consider how you can invest in their lives.  Consider how you can provide opportunities to help them get their story out there.  Consider how you can help them take action.  Consider how you can encourage this generation to make a difference.

It seems kind of crazy that I would have to travel ~2,500 miles to figure this out, but this is one of my biggest take homes from this adventure to Guatemala.

Thank you for your thoughts, prayers, and financial support for making this trip happen.  I look forward to sharing more in the days to come.

How have you seen this younger generation making a difference?  What can you do to encourage this generation?