Sara Grace

The process of packing and re-packing my things, as been sacrificial and refreshing one. After packing all of my things, I realized I miss-read the weight and size limits of Spirit airlines, and needed to reduce my weight by 1/2. In that moment, the obvious need to let go (of everything, of expectations) and re-focus on the purpose of this trip became clearer than ever before. The work I will be doing in Guatemala does not largely depend on the material things I bring with me. In fact, it probably depends the least on that compared to everything else, and I think that’s true in our daily lives as well.

I fit all of my material things for the next 6 months (or more) of my life in 1 piece of luggage, 1 Lowepro backpack, and 1 Domke shoulder bag. I still feel like I over-packed. Everyone else packed 2 pieces of luggage, but since I may not return to the States after my commitment in Guatemala, packing minimally was a priority. Could you pack 6 months or more of your life into 1 piece of luggage or less? Why would or wouldn’t it be a challenge?

After 12 hrs. of traveling across North America with Stephanie and JD, and a surprise visit from the other intern, Matt, we arrived at our apartment in Zona 10 of Guatemala City. By Guatemala’s standards, our 3-story, yellow apartment and neighborhood is very nice. I love it. Lots of beautiful natural light, the comfiest couches I’ve ever sat on, 24/7 security, and I don’t think I could’ve asked for better roommates. I’m excited to call this place home for the next 6 months of my life.

To give you an idea of how safe it is where we live, it’s the safest zone in G City. Stephanie and I can run together, and one of the guys can run by themselves, but Stephanie nor I could not run by ourselves. In other zones, we have to cruise around in rolled up tinted windows, so not to reveal that there are gringos in the vehicle. It’s a rough city. No walking around alone at night, and we only take rides from people that we know, but it’s not scary. We take precautions and let the bigger purpose of lives here trump fear and the “what ifs”. What fear in your life needs to be trumped by the larger purpose of your life?

We are being taken care of by Americans and Guatemalans who have lived here at least 1 year, or their whole lives. I’ll write another post later about the Guatemalans who we spend a lot of time with and the impact they have made in my life.

We have Wi-Fi, electricity and sometimes warm showers. We walk on tiled floors, cook on a gas stove, and stick notes on yellow walls. We hang out in shorts during the day, and sweatpants at night.

If you are the praying kind, please pray for rest for us. Stephanie and I’s bedroom gets a lot of noise from the street and it’s hard to sleep through the night, even with earplugs in. Also pray that we, as roommates, continually develop a healthy community amongst ourselves. It’s so easy to let the little things get in the way, and so far it’s been amazing, but I know living together will come with challenges, and I pray for those to be handled with integrity and boundless love. Also, please pray for guidance for us as we go about our projects and jobs. It’s easy to lose balance and stop asking guidance.

If you’re reading this, you’ve probably been a reason that I’m here right now. Thank you for all your love, encouragement and support. It means so much.

Feel free to message me with questions, comments, stories, etc.

Mucho Amor,

Sara

Remember this photo? http://sarafouts.tumblr.com/post/20925971040/my-friend-sam

Recently, Sam was interviewed by Cru, an international Christian community. Cru at BGSU looks like this: Whether it’s at the giant Thursday night Cru gathering, or hanging out with a couple friends, space is created to feel safe, challenged, and known. Your beliefs are not assumed and your heart is validated. We are explorers, making our way through the muddy paths of life. Asking questions. Meeting others. Learning and growing and thinking.

Being friends with Sam over the past year and a half has been awesome. We met through a mutual friend. He’s an intellectual and places high priority on academics. He’s a musician and sings like his father. He likes suits, Arabic and people. He makes everyone feel welcomed and validated. He laughs easily, is fun at social events, and sometimes the loudest person in the audience. He’s great.

You can read about his transformation from Atheism to Love here: http://www.cru.org/how-to-know-god/my-story-a-life-changed/my-story-sam-schmitt.htm

Learn, ask questions, discuss and grow.

There’s a click between us because we have traveled.

Almost everybody identifies with something in their heart, something they think of everyday and can talk endlessly about with another person who identifies with the same in their heart. 

Traveling, if you let it, changes your worldview. Things stick with you. You’re exposed to an infinite amount sensations on complex levels that end up changing your life and when you return home, you keep searching for it.

What is “it”?

“It” is different for everyone and it’s what travelers are stuck with figuring out when returning home. Reverse culture shock takes a hold of your mind and the only person who can understand you is another traveler. That’s why it clicks. You share the infinite, complex levels of your experiences from a place of emotional despair with someone. You’re almost forced (and want) to be vulnerable with someone who cares the same way you do.

The following is a conversation from my Facebook wall between my friend Sheila and I. We met through Spanish class about the time her then fiancee came to the U.S. from Venezuela so they could get married.

Sheila: I have a feeling you’d know this feeling: the feeling that your heart is racing restlessly just to hear a foreign tongue, one that you don’t know and you must strain to learn. The feeling that home soil simply cannot possibly contain you- not because there’s anything wrong with it - but because it’s simply home. I feel like a fish out of water in my own country. Do you know this feeling, Sara? I sometimes envy my hubby because this isn’t his land. lol

Me: I feel like I’m anticipating a run. Like the race hasn’t started yet but my I’m on my tip toes and my heart is intense with suspense. Intensely anticipating something new and different, adventure and action. I have no idea where the race is going and I don’t care, I just want to go. I understand the excitement and seemingly exaggerated interest when you hear someone speaking a different language. It symbolizes another culture you want to explore and suddenly I want to know everything about them. It’s a reminder of how little time I have to explore, that no matter how fast I run I will never finish. I also feel like a fish out of water, and it’s forced me to connect with people on a deeper level that transcends these earthly identities because, I don’t know if you feel this way, but I do not feel American. I just feel like a part of humanity as a whole. Just different.

Sheila: Oh believe me I feel exactly like that. Not anti-American, but not American.

Me: Yes!

I feel separated from American culture and am aware of what outfits I wear look more American than others. My experience has been that the more you travel, the more you identify with these temporary places and the less you identify with your original, seemingly permanent identity, like American. Or maybe it’s just … the more people you meet and grow to love, the more you identify on deeper levels than with the place you live.

You experience life and sensations no matter where you are on complex levels all the time. Hopefully you have someone in your life you feel like you can share that with. Life, connection, excitement, and passion are not exclusive to people who experience cultures other than their own. Adventure is something you create, not do. Learning is a state of mind, not something that requires an “out of this world” experience to grow from. Passion comes from your heart and if it’s true passion, it’s boundless.

The above, seemingly exclusive, traveling experience, can happen to anyone. Anybody (and hopefully everybody) can have an experience that changes their worldview and search for something, someone, to connect with, to be vulnerable with.

There’s a click between us because we love.

I really don’t have a point to this post. I’m just kind of rambling, and I know everyone is different and may not relate to anything I say. That’s fine, I understand that. They’re thoughts that have been floating around a lot since I went to the Millennium Collegiate Conference (MCC) a couple weeks ago. That spurred questions of when and how am I going to be involved with international development in my life. I have also been blessed with amazing community and loved ones in my life. If I didn’t have others who shared what I have in my heart, I’m not sure how I would have the energy to continuously share my heart with others.