We just got back from Guatemala. My wife is from there. Her parents have lived there for almost 30 years. Just before we left, numerous times people greeted us and said, "Lucky you! Have fun in the sun."
Guatemala, being Central America and all does have far more sun than Upstate New York, where live now. But we did not go to sunny Central America for pure enjoyment, although, yes, it was nice to evade the cold and gloom of winter.
But there is an intense amount of tension in the land called Guatemala. Beautiful landscape; third world situations. The harsh, mountanous landscape provides awesome views, but is the cause of many infrustructure problems, which preserves some secluded villages and prevents pollution from the outside world, but also inhibits supply lines and weakens the economy.
I find it funny how so many people have no idea what it is really like to go there. I think some people over-simplify life as either "work" or "pleasure." You work hard to enjoy life and go on vacation. In my case, not really that simple. It pains me to think that other Christians even think this way. As if the most important thing in their lives IS NOT fully sacrificing their lives for the sake of the Kingdom of God.
My wife Rachel's parents have done that. I respect them completely. Theyleft the comfort of their own culture to translate God's word into the Mayan Ixil language. We look for the priveledge to do God's work like that with our lives. We don't have to time to deal with other Christians that inhibit this in our lives.
It was not for fun and relaxation that we went to Guatemala. It was for more than that...
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