goodbye guatemala

hi friends!

we just packed up and left what had been calling home for the last month. it was hard to say goodbye to the ministry, the kiddos, and our ministry hosts. they taught me so much and were such a joy to work with. i am excited to keep in contact with many of them and watch One Way Community grow. i’ll be on a plane on the 18th to finish out my last week of this trip in Atlanta. time really did fly. while i am so excited to sleep in my bed again, hug my family, eat some Chick-fil-A, see friends, and just be home, it is hard to say goodbye to Guatemala and my team. this past month has been beautiful. i have learned kids are fun to work with haha. they bring so much laughter and excitement to the smallest things. they would listen to my spanish and not judge me (they would correct me but in the kindest way). i wish i could spend another month in Guatemala. i also honestly feel like i wasn’t able to give it my all this past month which is creating a desire for a do-over. i started the month with a cold and it lingered for the month. i spent some days in a weird brain fog not feeling there, which was irritating. i did my best to push through and made the most of it, but it was hard. i am currently at one of the AIM bases in Chimaltenango having my but kicked by what i hope it the bit of this sickness. We left Poptun thursday night to drive to the AIM base in Chimaltenango to spend our last weekend in Antigua with the other half of our team. We drove through the whole night and i barely slept with kinda did me in. My body was not having it so i woke up Friday morning feeling dead. While i don’t like being sick and it’s been hard missing out on our last days here in guatemala, it has allowed my heart and soul to catch up with me. It’s allowed me to start debriefing and digesting this trip. it’s also allowed alone time! i love alone time!! i’ve had a whole room and bathroom to myself…i haven’t had that in 3 months. a bathroom with a real door has been rare. my introverted little self has never been more happy. so that’s life right now. thanks for tuning in!

-ella