Day 2 GUA Trip -- Nebaj

This morning after breakfast we had devotion on the roof of our hotel in Antigua, the clouds from yesterday cleared the sky for the sun to shed light on the landscape surrounding us (pictures to come). We read through 1 John 1-10 and spoke about living our lives while walking in the light of God rather than just speaking of the light of God. With walking being an action, you are living life through the Lord's light, which in-turn opens yourself up for his light to shine deep inside you to lighten the darkness we all have inside. I relate to this chapter with all aspects of my life and within all experiences I've had, including those in my future. Before we left for our 7 hour bus ride to Nebaj we were asked to look for signs of hope and despair throughout the day.

As we rode through the region I saw many of these two fairly different signs.  I saw hope within the facial expressions and reactions of the children and young adults who we passed through the villages. As we waved to them their faces would light up with a large smile, even jumping for joy at times with the younger children.  I also saw signs of despair within those older individuals who we passed in the villages.  Most older individuals we carrying supplies, food, and/or resources to walk back to their homes which could be miles away and the terrain is extremely steep everywhere. When I smiled and waved at them it was as if they didn't even see me, looking straight through me with no reaction or emotion at all. That was very sad to see in person!

Along with the many children and elderly locals we passed working very hard there were so many stray dogs. We were told about them before the trip so I expected them to look scary, but they all looked so sweet. I saw a whole litter of puppies that looked like black labs, just 3-4 weeks old playing together all 9 of them with 2 large chickens. It made me smile, but ache at the same time! My heart aches because I want to help them, the children, the locals, and the stray animals, just lend a hand but we are unable to as we are passing through.

On a better note the landscape during our ride was spectacular, just rolling mountains full of healthy forest life! Most slopes are steep and the locals utilize every inch of viable soil for crop, even on the absolute steepest slopes you can see rows upon rows of crops.  It is mind blowing how they manage their crops on such steep terrain, our leader Rich told us that he'd seen men roped up to a tree above to repel down to manage the rows of crop! Just so eye opening how they are able to work in such harsh physically challenging conditions and not complain and not have any fear. I don't know too many people who would be able to work so hard for such little profit to then barely get by to provide food and shelter for their family. It is just so humbling to be in a country that is so full of challenges, hard work, despair, love, and not taking anything at all or anyone at all for granted no matter how deprived their life may be.

We stopped in Chichi for lunch, then finished our last leg of the trip to Nebaj passing the Rio Negro River that runs at the base of two massive sets of layered mountains (picture below). We pulled into Nebaj and have settled into our next destination where we will be staying for the next 5 nights, including tonight. Early day tomorrow starting with breakfast at 6:30 then leaving for the school in the village of Cotzal at 7:30. We will be their for the entire day then returning in the evening to Nebaj and will have another Day Update! Stay Tuned Y'all!