adventures.

Hello friends and family.
Today has been a really weird day. Last night i planned on staying in, watching movies and hanging out just relaxing from a long week. Long story short - i woke from 12:30 - 1:30 ish becuase of fireworks, also :  one of my roommates went out, forgot his keys, and insisted on ringing the doorbell at 2:30 until i woke up and let him ( +3 ) in, then continued to try and break into his room - which was unsuccessful by the way. i convinced him to go and get his keys and  after finally back to sleep around 4:30 i woke at 6:30ish because of a crying baby. Needless to say, i didn't get the sleep i wanted so today i took it easy. I decided i would be a total tourist and check out some of the ruins. Out my camera and i went and for a good 3 1/2 hours we toured antigua, and some of it gigantic ruins. One thing that caught my attention was at a ruin/catholic church i went to. right in the parking lot of the building is a market that is open to many people. this made me wonder how much truth has been lost in the catholic  churches here. isn't it in the new testament where jesus kicks out the vendors because they're not using God's temple for the right reason?  - i know Catholicism and Christianity are different but this situation just kind of crossed me as 'weird and wrong'. you can correct me if i'm wrong but it was just a little thought i've had.

now i am bunkering down. doing my homework and studying for classes while 1 of the 5 (or so) english channels plays in the background.

i hope this week gets better -

love you.

well, i've made it though one week of being here in guatemala. This week has been harder then i could have ever imagined. it's really hard to be alone all the time, consumed in my own thoughts. Thankfully, i am staying in a guest house the has internet so i get to talk to my parents everyday.

I'm living in the town of Antigua, which is a very historical place that has a ton of old ruins in different parts of town. I have yet to venture very far because i'm a little scared to go out alone. I know it's crazy to think, because i came to guatemala alone, but it's scary to walk around alone. On wednesday i climbed up to the top of a volcano ( near the top, the summit is prohibited ) it was probably one of the hardest hikes i've ever done. 1) because of the steep incline, 2) because of the high altitude it was harder to breath and 3) because my tour guide didnt speak any english ( lol)the group i was with spoke less english then i did i ended up being the translator for the guide. Once i got to the top it was pretty magical. Just last year the volcano erupted and spewed lava where i was walking. Only the tour guide and i went on to the volcano side ( where the volcanic rock was new) and at one point he took me inside this 'cave' like compartment underneath the surface. it was unbelieveable hot! it amazed me that just under the surface it was so hot already. i cant imagine how hot it is deeper down!

This week is started my spanish schooling, and it is going pretty good. This past week i just kind of refreshed my memory of things i learnt in high school. everyone is friendly there and i've talked to a few others.

As i mentioned earlier, this week has been so incredibly hard. i've been majorly homesick and have been wanting to have some company. or else return to where life is comfortable and safe. i miss my family, bed, home cooked canadian meals, friends, dog maggie, everything. Prayers are very appreciated right now because this is such a challenge for me.

anyways, just a little update to what i've been doing and to let you know that i've made it one week.

love always.
katie

This is a view from my roof deck. It's Volcan de Agua. 

This is me close to Volcan de Pacaya. 

Inside the cave like hole. 

Day #2

Hey everyone! =) I'm having a good weekend, very relaxing. i head out to Antigua tomorrow to start my spanish schooling. Yesterday was very chill. I got some much needed sleep and slept for about 11 hours. Liz and I just stayed inside all day, i did go out for a small little walk to see the area. It's so weird to think that on thursday morning there was snow on the ground, and now there is no snow anywhere. in fact, today it was about 25 degrees celsius. I watched a movie that was made featuring some of the ministries the EdT ( Strategy of Transformation) help . It's called Reprarando (http://www.reparandomovie.com/) it completely tore my heart apart and made me want to jump in and help out. I'm definitely going to be bringing a copy home to show friends and family whats going on in Guatemala.

This morning, we headed to Union Church for a monthy lesson type thinger ( yes i know, poor grammar but i dont know what it's called) anyways, i have to admit that the whole time i was completely lost! The only parts i got were the bible verses which i read to myself. From this language barrier it makes me much more excited to head off to Antigua and start these lessons.
We came home and rested for a little while, I myself had a little cat nap. and around 5 Liz and I headed to the supermarket because i wanted to pick up a few things. The store is like a wal-mart, but super crazy, busy and large. After going there we went to the city centre and walked around the square. Went inside the cathedral ( which is absolutley GORGEOUS!!! ), and walked around on a few streets to see the sights.
On our way home, about 4 blocks away the car wouldn't start. It was kinda freaky at first, but after Liz's husband and father showed up, and about a little over an hour or so of trying to figure out the problem the car started and we drove back to their house.

I also want to add that the driving here is CRAZY! I wouldnt dare to drive here because i'm sure i would get 1.lost, 2.in an accident, and 3. very overwhelmed. i thought honduras was bad, but the driving here is scary!!

Anyways, thank you for the prayers and support.

Love Katie

I'm in Guatemala!! =)

Well after many long tearful 'see you laters'  i made it safe and sound. It been a very long, nerve wracking day and i cannot wait to get myself some shut eye.

Anywho, just thought i'd update.

love katie

he never leaves.

Isaiah 43:2

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.

The days are quickly counting down, and now i am a mere 12 days away from my departure to guatemala.

I am going to miss these mountains, familiar faces, and similar routine. I am so excited for this change, but i am also so scared to see whats next. I trust that God will stretch me and change me into the person he wants me to be in the next few months.

For the next week and a half i'm going to be soaking up as much time with friends and family as i can and enjoy the moments i have been given.

Here's one of my favourite verses that i've been thinking about a lot lately.

And i am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow - not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below - indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.  - Romans 8:38-39

Love Katie