Guatemala Youth Trip Initial Interest Meeting

Yesterday I attended the initial interest meeting for a youth trip to Guatemala scheduled for the end of July, 2011. The team will be involved in constructing stoves for families who usually cook over open flames in their kitchens without ventilation.

I was in Guatemala this past June on an assessment trip and was standing next to the photographer when this picture was taken. I knew we would be using the information we were gathering to present project opportunities to teams.

But, I had no idea it would be used to present a project opportunity to a team I would be travelling with. I'm a little blown away by that gift.

This is a picture of a woman we visited who received a stove last year. She was so happy to show us how much it improved the environment of her kitchen. She had a fire going while we were there and her kitchen was not filled with smoke.

Amazing what a chimney will do!

As I sat in the room while Mike gave a very high level overview to these kids and parents and looked at their faces (although if I'm being really honest, since I was in the back of the room, it was mostly the back of their heads) and had a thousand emotions. I'm so happy to get the chance to go back and see these people I met this past summer. To have the opportunity to do something this time, to leave with things just a tiny bit better for some, to fractionally elevate their level of comfort. But as I looked at the kids in the room I was a bit nervous. I haven't dealt with teens on a day to day basis and I'm praying for my confidence to increase regarding my ability to interact with them in a meaningful way. I actually really enjoy teenagers (maybe because I don't have one of my own yet). For the five minutes I considered becoming a teacher I knew teaching high school would be my best bet. I know my strengths in relationships play out best over time so if you could add this to your prayers I would be so grateful. Maybe by the time July rolls around I'll have it down!

Last but not least I'm so looking forward to returning to a school I had the opportunity to see last time I was there. Watching these children play was a highlight from my trip.