Did you hear the fiestas??

If you happened to look in the direction of Guatemala last Sunday, you may have heard a bit of celebrating going on. First of all, in the morning, there was quite a celebration going on in heaven because a sweet little girl named Miriam was baptized. The angels had a great time welcoming Miriam as a child of God! She was quite dressed up in a pretty white dress for her very special day. Miriam is the daughter of Marta, one of the cooks in our ministry.

The second fiesta began in the afternoon. Kevin and I, along with Manuel and his family and Andy took a bit of a drive over the long bridge that crosses the huge ravine leading into downtown Guatemala City. Those of you who have been here may remember the drive to the central market in the City where you look out and see hundreds of shanties built on the sides of this deep ravine. We've talked about how devastating torrential rains would be to these homes made of tin and cardboard. After seeing the devastation in Bangladesh this week, I realize how vulnerable the people in the shanties here would be. Well, after crossing the bridge, we found our way down a narrow street leading into a little pueblo with the familiar tiendas and lots of families milling about on a sunny Sunday afternoon. We parked the van and piled out. I thought we must have parked in front of Marta's house, but, no...we had parked the van because it wouldn't be able to drive any further. It was time to walk...down...waaayyy down, almost to the bottom of the ravine! Andy said that every day, Monday through Saturday, it takes Marta an hour to get to the ministry. She and her kids get on busses to get themselves to work and school. And of course, Marta is always on time for work! Manuel wasn't exactly sure which house was theirs, so we asked some people standing along the narrow walkway and they pointed us to Marta's. We knocked on the door and Marta's husband welcomed us in. Well, this is where the noise comes in! When Marta saw us walk in she yelled out our names and the whole place erupted in squeals of joy and welcome and we're so glad you came and you must sit down!!! Half the ministry seemed to be there in this little one room home. The beds had been removed and two tables were placed in the middle for people to sit and eat. There were so many familiar faces: Sandra, Merly and little Ana and brother Jhonny, Maritza, Adi and Glendy, Vilma and her little squeak, Yoseline, not to mention Marta's five kids. What a merry fiesta this was! Then in walks little Joaquin and his sister Andrea who we had just seen a few minutes earlier along the side of the road on the other side of the bridge close to where we lived. How in the world did they get there so fast? Must have been a bus. Later their mom, Cristina and sister Ana would arrive, too! There must have been 25 people in this one room. As soon as one bunch was finished eating, we were told to "sit, sit" and were treated to pepian: chicken, rice and potato, with horchata to drink (a rice drink w/cinnamon). We quietly prayed that God would zap any ickies that might be in the food as we could not think of a better way to share a meal in a million years. There is no restaurant anywhere that could top this joyfilled room!! What a great time!

Well, the time came for another I can't even tell you how many people to come in, so it was time for us to give up our seats at the table so they could eat. And after lots of goodbyes, it was also time for us to begin the hike back up the ravine! Holy moley, what a hike that was. Most of the people from the ministry were leaving as well, so I had little Adi and Yoseline grabbing onto my hands, Kevin had Joaquin and Andrea, Andy was with Ana, and we walked and walked and huffed and puffed till we reached the van. More goodbyes (goodbyes are very important here! almost as important as hellos!) but to my surprise, eight more Guatemalans joined the already 9 of us to drive back to the ministry neighborhood! Guess the fiesta wasn't over yet! We talked and laughed our way back.

Kevin and Andy and I all agreed that it was one day that we will not soon forget. It was a day filled with friendship and joy as people that work together also play and celebrate together. Miriam is now a child of God! And that is truly something to celebrate! The love we felt and shared filled our cups to overflowing. We were humbled to see yet again that it is not the things of this world that bring true joy. It is the love of Christ, shared with friends and family that give us strength and simply make us glow. Much love to each of you! Your love, too, gives us strength and makes us glow!!