Volcano Farts Smell Like Campfires

The World Race is here! I am so excited to start telling you my stories from the field. This blog is a bit late, since it is about my first couple days in Guatemala. I had originally lost this blog (it was on a different app than I originally thought) but I was able to find it 2 nights ago. I have been at my new host for a week now. We are helping a pastor finish building a community center as well as serving the community. Can’t wait to tell you more about it in a later blog!

If you had the chance to read my last blog, you know our journey to Guatemala started late on Monday the 4th and wrapped up around 1pm on Tuesday the 5th. Once we landed in Guatemala City, we got picked up by the Adventures in Missions (AIM) Guatemala base. The difference between an AIM base and the World Race is that the people serving at a base are committed there long-term. There are AIM bases all over the world. The AIM base hosted a full day orientation on Guatemala and worship for us before our squad split up to go to our teams different hosts.

Our first Guatemalan meal was an exotic chain called Wendy’s. Not sure if you have heard of it. Very niche to Guatemala.

It took a little over an hour to get to our host’s for the next couple days, Carol and Craig Hill. They have been planted in Guatemala for 4 years and their ministry covers a lot of needs but the main is providing food and prayer. They also host World Race Gap Year teams.

From their rooftop there is a fantastic view of Fuego, an active volcano. 

Every 15-20 minutes he would release gas/ash mixture and small amounts of lava. At night we would go up on the rooftop and just wait and watch. It was mesmerizing. I don’t know what it is about staring up at a volcano, releasing lava in bursts against the night sky that makes you want to marvel at the world that our God had created. It makes it more understandable as to how the devil has tricked people all over the world to worship false gods. Makes me more excited to share the truth of Jesus Christ, the true gospel. That people don’t need to “pay” gods for health, finances and good luck. 

After a night of volcano watching and later getting ready for bed, that is when I realized that volcano farts smell like campfires.

My heart feels full, tender and at home. I am full of love for and from my squad. I’m full of love for Guatemala and so grateful to be a part of missions here. My heart feels tender because it’s like God and I picked up where I left off last time on the race. In the process of deconstruction so He can rebuild me. I feel at home. Like this where I belong. On the World Race, doing missions and living in this wonderful community. I am so full of thanks I can’t even quantify it. I am just… so happy. This is not in ignorance to the hardships on the race and life in general. However, I do feel a deep joy, thanks to God.

Currently I am in Chichicastenango. My team, the Storm Chasers, have been joined by team Lightning. We are serving Pastor Juan of New Generation Guatemala. We are staying at the new community center he is building and I can’t wait to share more about him and the ministry we are a part of. We currently don’t have wifi but we go into town at least once a week which is when I get to check things and post.

Thank you for reading. See ya next time. 

I am currently $1,451 from my next fundraising goal which will allow me to stay on the mission field through May.

If you would like to help support me, you can donate here on the blog, or scroll up to the orange donate button. Otherwise through Venmo/Cash App at jackieivarsson or PayPal at [email protected].

Thanks!