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We began the day early up at six o’clock for morning devotions. We were reminded by Ashley from Romans 12:13 of the challenge to practice hospitality. Before the day ended the reality of that challenge would unfold as we celebrated our Thanksgiving meal with a group of ten children from the Mayan Village of Santiago.

We left Hannah’s Hope promptly at 6:30 a.m. and began the treacherous three hour journey to Panajachel. Oscar’s Indy Racing style driving in a top heavy van was a little scary. Pushing the limits of the “microbus” we continued on, many kilometers over the speed limit down the winding mountain roads. Quicker than expected, we arrived safely to the mountainous western region of Guatemala, home to the Mayan people. Panajachel was much more beautiful than any pictures could describe. For a short time, we all had to play the role of tourists, immersing ourselves in the breathtaking beauty of the volcanoes around us. After quickly dropping off bags off at Kaqchiquel Hotel we headed down to the lake to negotiate a boat ride across. Within minutes, Ashley had secured us a ride to and from the small village of Santiago for just $60 round trip. The boat was all that could be expected from a small town in Guatemala. A few fearsome team members put on lifejackets. Although they were laughed at initially, their heads were in the right place. Twenty-five minutes into a forty minute boat ride, we all heard the boat engine cut out and shut off. Ashley quickly assured us that only one other group had almost flipped, as we watched the ‘captain’ switch gas tanks. Logic would tell someone to get enough gas before you crossed the lake, but our minds were quickly devoted to shifting weight around, and prevent the boat from capsizing. On our way again, we soon docked at the small town of Santiago. Santiago is small lakeside Mayan town bustling with activity. The children of the town ran to the dock as our boat arrived trying to sell some of the traditional handmade items common to their culture. The children shouted Ashley’s name in joy as they saw her arriving with a group of gringos. Ashley is regular visitor to the town frequently, bringing mission teams with her. We were met by a young Christian Mayan man, Juan, who served as our driver while in town. We loaded our suitcases full of soccer balls and gift bags on the back of a small 1/4 ton pickup truck and all twelve of us jump up in the back standing together. It must of have been quite a seen for the town to see a bunch of gringos driving through the streets on the back of a pickup. After a short drive outside of town we turned down a dirt road that led us into a small community of Mayan families. The community is a cluster of small built wooden frame houses covered with tin roofs. The area had been destroyed back in 2005 from a mudslide and the community was still in the process of being rebuilt. The children ran to our truck with excitement. We began to hand out gift bags to all the children. The soccer balls were soon to follow and before long the area was filled with children playing soccer. We joined in playing and were on the receiving end of being taught how soccer is really suppose to be played. In the community is a man named Felipe whose life has been changed by Christ and is supported financially through Ashley’s mission work. He is testimony to God’s grace as he came out of a background of gang activity and is now following Christ. In the middle of the community sits a small yellow church building as their place of worship. Despite the conditions the small community struggles with financially there is a joy and radiance  based not on material things but on the incredible hope found in knowing Jesus Christ. As the time got close to lunch we gathered together around the truck to make out way into town for lunch.  Ashley has a tradition of inviting ten children each time she visits to go into town with her and enjoy lunch together. The opportunity for the children to go into town and eat in a restaurant is something they never get to do. It was our privilege on Thanksgiving Day to drive into town on the back of a pickup with 10 children to share a Thanksgiving lunch. We unloaded the truck in town and joined together around a large table at a restarant for a meal of chicken, rice and guacamale. Juan, our Mayan driver, led us in prayer in the Mayan dialect thanking God for His many blessings. Although separated and missing our families on this traditional American holiday of Thanksgiving, we could not have hoped for any greater way to celebrate than gathered around a table with the Mayan children sharing a meal together. The joy of the moment transcends all the worries of this life and brought perspective to all of us what is really important in life. It is a Thanksgiving we will never forget.   Following lunch we said goodbye to the children and they headed back to their home. We shopped the streets and eventually were invited into the home of our driver Juan. A simple home consisting of a single room. We met his wife and extended family. Their graciousness and hospitality was humbling to us.  We returned to an area along the lake and played more soccer before heading back across the lack to our hotel. Arriving safely back at our hotel we spent the rest of the late afternoon resting and shopping the many shops lining the streets. We joined together in town as a group for dinner and returned to our hotel for a night of rest. Weary from a busy day, we all overcome by the wonderful privilege of practing hospitality in the simplist of means but blessed beyond measure by the grace of God.

David and Preston

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