When I first traveled to the small country of Guatemala on a mission trip, I didn’t know what to expect. At this point in my life, I was only half way through high school and my international travel consisted of a handful of trips to Canada. I had never visited a third world country before. Because of this, I had no idea what it would be like. Looking back on it three years later as I prepare for my fourth trip back this summer, I am so glad I took the risk. I couldn’t imagine what my life would be like if I hadn’t decided to go to this small Central American country called Guatemala. This country, though small, has completely changed my life in so many ways. It has expanded my horizon and made me look at the world through new eyes.
There are so many things I love about Guatemala. However, when people ask me why I continue to go back every year, I always say it’s because of the people. When I first went, I was initially nervous about the language barrier. I knew virtually no Spanish. I was afraid that because of that, I would be unable to make a connection with the people. I was so wrong. From outside appearances, the Guatemalan people seem to have little. However, what they lack in possessions they more than makeup for with their genuine goodness. Guatemalan people are some of the happiest group of people I’ve ever met because they appreciate what they do own. They love their family and their community. I even realized that when we visited them, whether it was to build a stove or plant a garden, they grew to love us, as well. That’s one of the things that no one could prepare me for: the overwhelming amount of love you’ll feel for these people and the inseparable bonds you’ll form in the process. It’s a feeling I can’t accurately explain or describe because there are no words to describe it. You simply have to experience it for yourself.
Through the Guatemalan people, I have also learned many valuable lessons. One of the most important things I learned was that value of family is worth more than the value of things. As I mentioned earlier, the Guatemalan people have little in terms of material possessions. Many of them live in one room shacks, shakily held together by whatever materials are available to use. Within these small spaces, many have large families as well, with multiple kids and occasionally even extended family living there.
However, these people, despite the poverty they face, are some of the richest people I know. They are rich in what is more important that material possessions - they are rich in love. They understand that while they have few material possessions, that’s not what is truly important in life. What’s most important is the value we put on family and friends. They are some of the happiest people I know because they understand this secret to happiness. It’s often hard to understand this in American culture, due to the fact that we too often promote the idea that material possessions equal happiness. We often think, if I don’t have physical things, I won’t be happy. However, what you sometimes don’t see until you travel to a place like Guatemala is that you don’t need these things to make you happy. In fact, it could even go so far as to make you unhappy if you place the importance of these things above that of your relationships. The Guatemalan people taught me this lesson, this secret to happiness, I believe everyone could benefit from.
It’s funny because when people ask me about Guatemala, I sometimes struggle to find words. This isn’t because I have nothing to say; on the contrary, it's quite the opposite. There are truly no words to accurately describe how life-changing the experience is. Guatemala has shaped me into the person I am today. It has taught me so many life lessons that I will never forget and through it I have formed friendships that will last a lifetime. I am so blessed that I have had the opportunity to go back for multiple years now and strengthen the relationships I have built. I will forever be indebted to the beautiful country of Guatemala and the even more beautiful people that live there. Thank you, Guatemala, for everything.
