Purely Beautiful Exchanges

This trip is pure, simple, beautiful exchanges created by God's desire to share his gifts with the world. The exchange whether with a baby, a child, a troubled teen, a lonely grandfather, an alcoholic, a kind man, an elderly women-it's all coming from the same spirit. I am overwhelmed with the amount of interaction I have with community and people.
While I have always had a positive connection through God's spirit, it has never been as strong as the present. 

On this trip it's constant work through God. He is putting me in the right place at the right time to meet that person to help, to comfort, to reassure, to empower, to smile at, to coach, to listen, and to love.  It's a wonderful relationship that is co-created between two people sharing one spirit.   


When it comes to simple things like smiling, it feels like there is so much power in just a simple smile(just as Mother Teresa believed and just as I feel).  

One day on the bus in La Ceiba, I was sitting and making jokes and everyone was smiling and laughing. I kept my eye on this one older lady sitting in the corner who was not smiling. She was just staring at me and my smile. It felt powerful as her stare had a hold over me.  When I smiled again, she looked directly at my smile and she just smiled so big.  She had no teeth, but it was the most beautiful smile.  The best part was that it felt like my smile was transferred right to her. Those who are true believers and missionaries understand the power that can be released through spirit. 

This will be explained more extensively throughout this blog. 

It feels like this is my own unofficial and informal missionary work- the work of God started by me. It is so powerful and surreal at times to believe that God would give me his spirit.  He would make me so strong, athletic, fashionable, friendly, funny, curious, studious, enthusiastic, inspirational, compassionate- its all from him. The way people respond to me is so unbelievable.


Sitting on buses and making the whole bus laugh and hotels/restaurants/bars making friends with everyone. My whole life and all the people I have helped has been one big mission- one that never stops. 

Anything is possible with the power of The Lord.

Singing in the Rain

The weather was gloomy and it was not the day for kayaking. When they sky looks like it is about to fall down onto the ground. It just might not be a great day for kayaking, but I was with some cheerful, upbeat, carefree people.


"If we get wet, we get wet."
I thought to myself, "Okay, then lets go get wet."
That is whole lot of wet!

This couple was from Minnesota or North Dakota or one of those outdoors kind of states.  They were casually dressed with shorts and t shirts and I was wearing my rain shoes, rain jacket, and rain shorts.  Due to not catching ammonia, I realized this was a good choice because we were in for a fun surprise. 


Our guide was Mojita so I just called him, "Mojito." I made sure to say his name extra times so everyone would laugh. It was the beginning of a beautiful, entertaining Priscilla adventure. 

 

Off we went in the 4x4 down by the river. Mojito threw the raft into the water and slipped right on his butt. We were all laughing so hard that one of us was bound to fall down and that would be the Sarah, the wife from the unknown state fell down on her face. She had mud all over t shirt and face.  She was such a good sport and laughed off the whole thing. She just wiped it off and dipped her face into the river.  Luckily, my Kean's gripped the mud just enough to keep me above land.  I made a smart decision to leave my phone behind because we also planned on swimming(separate from the mud bath of course).

Of course, I sat right next to Mojito because I told him I wanted to be the one doing all the work.  Always interested in a workout at all times.  It worked out great because the couple did not care if they paddled or just sat there.  They were pretty fascinated with nature.  All of us kept looking up at the sky at the same time because we knew it would rain.  And it just so happens that Belize was waiting for some good rain as it was just raining on and off for days. 

5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and there came the rain.  It came pouring down so hard that I felt bad for the others who did not have a rain jacket.  Instead, they just got soaked, especially Mojito.  We were paddling to cover underneath the tree and we were still getting wet.  We all looked at each other and paddled back out into the rain.  It was so beautiful. It felt like "The Notebook" where they were paddling in the rain except it clearly was not a romantic encounter with my buddy Mojito, but it was for the married couple. 

We just kept paddling and after 15 minutes or so, it finally stopped. Mojito and I began to switch off singing and I was singing so loud I think I scared away the birds, iguanas, monkeys-any living organism in the jungle.  Mojito was describing all these different types of trees, plants, animals as we were going along.

In Belize, there are different colored iguanas-green, black, yellow, and orange. The only one I had not seen was the orange one and I was on the lookout for one.  It appeared that I had left eyes at home because I was not seeing anything that was pointed out.

The couple were basically Wildlife experts from National geographic as they were pointing out more plants and birds than Mojito.  It was some advanced hiking trip for me, but I still did not see the leopard, which is what I wanted to see. 

Amongst the Sibun river are some of the most amazing plants, fauna, birds, but also the water is fantastic.  It is warm, clear, and clean leaving us to jump  right in and swim away.  It was paddling and swimming paddling and swimming:) It rained again and we were splashing each other with our paddles like teenagers. 

When leaving we stopped by an archaeologists house to see all his ancient finds-very interesting.  

My dear Mojito, so kind and sweet, is an example of a tour guide who becomes a friend and a resource to learn about Belize. 

Let the rain cleanse you, heal you, and receive you. PRIS

Driving Miss Pris

There was a movie of the 90 s called, "Driving Miss Daisy." Well in 2014, there is small documentary called, "Driving Miss Pris." She gets dropped off in the American made car with the blonde lady driving. People are walking the streets and stand back as the car pulls in down the windy, dirt road. She feels this sense of US vs them. This feeling that she is Better or different than them. She strongly dislikes that feeling that she is someone better than them. The perception that she has a wonderful, perfect life while they encounter daily struggles-it's false so false.

She decides that she does not need a car between such a short distance. She just needs the transportation that everyone else uses. She needs a bike. She asks Mrs. Ravel for an extra bike and she rides this bike in and out of the community. She makes stops checking in with local residents, mothers, and families. She makes visits to the house and to businesses. She inquires about peoples daily routine, job opportunities, sources of support. She makes herself available to people who want a professional who is not superficial but a real person. She still has all the experience and skills along with a smile and human quality. 

She loves all the waives and attention when she is riding a bike. She also receives those with a big question mark.With no volunteers in the community- they wonder why she is there in their community?

She loves the bike, she loves the freedom, she loves to ride- just ride... Lana Del Rey

Flores New Friends

PRIS, JOANNA, AND ALFREDO

We had a wonderful drive back to Flores sitting crammed in the front with Alfredo driving and Joanna in the middle. We were laughing and joking the whole time and were just so content with one another company. That is just how it goes with the locals and transportation(it's almost always a fun trip when you hang with the locals). The boring tourists were just sitting in the back in silence.  

(Alfredo and Joanna just recently got married and they couldn't be happier.  She is 25 and he is 50 and she believes that age is just a number. Everyday, he picks her up and drops her off at work on his way to Tikal.  She makes his lunch and puts little stickers on the container. When they part, it's like they don't want to separate for those 5 short hours-it's adorable).

Flores is a small city, which is usually the place where tourists stay before going to Tikal.  It is a small city with a whole lot of charm, great shopping, and lovely people. It was definitely one of my favorite cities in Guatemala, but the city I spent the least amount of time.

The Town Center including a brand new plaza with shops, movie theater, and a Burger King 

                                The Lake 

When arriving back from Tikal with Alfredo and his lovely wife, the dropped off the other tourists and made sure I had found a place to stay.  Not just any place to stay, but the perfect places that suited my needs. The first place happened to be one I found online and it happened to be with an even nicer family.  My room was super clean and freshly painted with a nice rooftop and hammock for the price of $12 per night. There was only one guy staying on the bottom floor, which left me the top floor all to myself. Unfortunately, I just had a problem with the suicide shower where it the shower flooded-sorry nice family=(

The Owners Adorable Son 

My Room- Perfectly Clean and Freshly Painted

Mango Tree Outside 

                                                    Painting on the Rooftop 

 The Three Stooges 

Walking to top of the hill to visit the church, it happened to be closed, but I ending up finding something else- The Three Stooges. Sitting and watching the sunset across from me on a bench were three young friends.  They lived in Guatemala City and were on a short vacation with each other in Flores. It's always so nice to see locals travel, especially in developing countries as it can be expensive and they always have to work. 

There was one with the Hurley shirt who I labeled(the model). Franklin was labeled(The Smart one) with the Hollister shirt, and Rudy with the light blue shirt was the clown.  Franklin had traveled to the US many times and had great English while the other have local jobs in Guatemala. They don't have intentions on going to college, but Franklin has his heart set on going to a US school. We discuss his opportunities and he says that he thinks he will end up in Wisconsin studying business. He is such a lovely boy and speaks so highly of the US, but has an appreciation for his country.  

The Model works in marketing, but I joke and say he should just do some commercial ads. He enjoys the field of advertising and I tell him to go for it.   

The dear Rudy, the clown, he just makes some jokes in broken English and has a smile like sunshine. I joke that his only chance of getting into the US is to marry an American.  He is laughing, but the expression on his face says that he could never do it. They all shake their head and I can see that they are sincere nice boys of Jesus. They would not do something low and classless like this behavior, which is frequently exhibited in other countries.

 They are nice, nice boys with good morals and values.  

 It was so nice chatting with them about their future goals and having a nice cultural exchange. Dios con the Three Stooges=) 

The Negotiation 

This trip involved working and not shopping, but in Guatemala I had my eyes open for the perfect bag. I really wanted a backpack with tribal designs in bright, girlish, Priscilla colors, but it did not find me. In a store that was just about to close on the hilltop, my bag found me.  The woman was showing me all these different pieces and telling me the price with a "This price only for you" at the end. When it came to the bag she wanted a certain price and I was requesting $5 less. We went back and forth for at least 30 minutes as she was so sweet and shy saying that she would get in trouble with her mother. Of course, I did not want to get her in trouble, but I wanted my price for the bag, which meant a lot of smiling and a lot of persuasion. She kept smiling and changing the price. It was the end of the day and she was not even sure what she was negotiating. To clarify to her, I emphasized it was the last sale and let me just give you the cash. 

I smiled and patted her on the back, "You go home dear and prepare some nice food and I walk away happy and content with my bag." 

She laughed and said, "Okay" and then I said, "Okay" and then she said, "No, no $65." 

Anytime that I thought we were just about to close the deal, she changed her mind and said, "No, no not possible."  It's like a boxing match sometimes with negotiating where that other person just won't let you win no matter how hard you try.  She told me my bag would last a lifetime and I took her word for it. We met half way, but she ended up getting a few dollars more and I just gave in.  Usually, I compete until I win, but she was so sweet that I wanted her to have the extra money and I was exhausted from the bus, the hot day at Tikal, and the hour of sleep.  We parted ways giving each other big hugs and wishes for happiness and Dios contigo=)

Love at first sight with my new bag

The Cool Beans Restaurant

Trying to get to my hotel without talking to another person-it's  rarely possible, I was walking quickly down the street.  Of course I got lost on the main street and forgot where my hotel was so I had to ask a local. I asked one, I asked two, and no one knew my hotel because I forgot the exact name. Now I was never going to get back at a decent hour. I asked a local sitting outside in front of a restaurant.  He spoke English and said he just got back from the US.  

I chatted for a few minutes and kindly said, "Okay bye have a good night." 

I walked away and he said, "Hey, come in for a drink." 

I looked at my watch and I looked at him. "I just want to buy my fellow American friend a drink." 

Priscilla: "Okay." 

Eddie asked me what I wanted and I said my usual Club Soda with extra limes. Of course, he mentioned by not drinking and I said, "It´s a personal choice. He didn´t ask anymore questions, which was nice. I strongly dislike when people make it such a big deal. After our initial conversation, I considered him to be a pretty cool guy. He gave me a little tour of the front, the restaurant which was on the beach, and the pool table and music area. There was a hip Brooklyn looking guy playing the guitar, Jake. Jake takes on different projects in Central America every summer as a archaeologist.  He expressed his desire to do something new after doing architecture for 20 years. When he said it, he made this face like he knew something else was out there for him-positive, super cool guy.

Just visiting Tikal the archeology wonderland, Eddie could not understand how someone could do a job so boring. I said what is boring to you, is another´s passion. 

While I am observing Jake speak, I am thinking he he reminds me of some celebrity. Who one may ask? Paul Rudd. He was the duplicate of Paul Rudd with his mannerisms, facial expressions, and his voice. I told him that and he said he hears that often-of course he does. We all just sat chatting away about our career choices and our desire to live abroad.  

In the meantime, Jake gave me some info. on my new friend who owns the restaurant and is also an architect. Eddie was just in Seattle for a project.  He´s often in Chicago for projects and named it his favorite place. 

He also explained to me how he started his business and how it all came together piece by piece. Also, his wife became his business partner(ANOTHER power couple working together and I feel inspired).

He can't get over the fact that I am single and have no boyfriend and no relations with anyone like ever. I tell him that there is so many more important things to focus on in my life.  He is still very puzzled and I get the comment,"Don't worry there is someone out there for you." He sings my favorite West side story song, "Someday, Somewhere" I ask if he even knows West side story and he says, "No." He's a very funny guy and with his "beautiful comments." After a long day, it was time for us to part ways and then comes a beautiful soul 

   

If I had this stamped on my head everyday, I would be making a lot of money. 

Pris and Eddie 

The Man With The Muriel's

Now I knew where I was going and I was on my way back. God, again, created another stop and interaction with a kind local man. From the corner of my eye, all I saw were these beautiful Mayan traditional style paintings.  It was like the carvings from the pyramids and temples, but in a painting.  There were also sculptures with the faces of different Mayan gods, but these paintings stood out.  I felt captivated by this work and told myself to put the red light on shopping and just talk about the meaning of the work . He was familiar with the Mayan history and he was sharing some details-filling in my Mayan spirituality curiosity.  He invited me to a Mayan speaking forum the next day, but I was all scheduled to go from Flores to Belize.  We exchanged information and gave me contact info for the Belize centers.There was something divine about this man where I just felt so thankful to meet him.  He kindly shook my hand and his hand was so soft and his eyes were a  dark forest green.  He was lovely-just lovely.  It's unfortunate when you meet people on your last day of traveling and you are departing the next morning. 

We don´t eat with Them.

While wearing different hats at Mayan Families, I became involved with different parts of the organization: the preschool, the client visits, school visits, the educational teacher component, the women sewing class, and the elderly.  The preschool only ran from 8 until 12, which left me time to work on my reports and these other items. 

One day, there was a big lunch for the sponsors who came in from the US. The organization is solely run from US donations and when they come in the local female cooks make them a nice local lunch and introduce them to the kids. It's a nice cultural exchange, but appears to be a bit awkward and forced at first.  As they were preparing for lunch, I began to see lovely, kind faces walking in from the front gate.  They were the elderly group, which comes in a few days a week for lunch. Unfortunately, organizations in Pana do not have much to give to the elderly population.  Sponsors are interested in the young children and do not take interest in older adults.  The government also feels the same way in Guatemala giving little to the elderly and more aid to young children and families.  

With this said, the organization offers them a meal of beans, cheese, rice, and tortillas.  They do not offer them the love and attention they desire or accommodate their other urgent health care needs. There is a clinic and local hospital in the village, but it is difficult transporting them there as they have special needs. One is partially blind and the others have walkers.


Also, they only receive a small stipend per month, which is the equivalent to about $10 per month. Within the Mayan families, they are close knit having the kids take care of their parents and live in the same home.  For those who don't have this type of family, they are left with loneliness and many difficulties.  

When sitting at the table, I spoke with Ana who was working with her Uncle and 4 others in her home.  She was the aid who took care of all their food, shelter, and health needs.  She was quite a woman and shared with me the culture along with her difficulties with getting food and medical supplies for the elderly.  One has diabetes and she has to constantly make trips to the pharmacy and watch his diet. Another one is partially blind, and the others are in walkers.  She is an angel and I love sitting and talking with her. We sit and eat rice and beans and they are sharing with me what they like to eat and some of their favorite activities.  There are flies surrounding our table while the other tourist table is clean and immaculate..


Usually I would be bothered by the flies, but I just put it aside and focus on the people God placed in front of me. Their smiles are so big that it makes me feel so content and forget about the flies and what I am even eating.  

                  

Ana is thankful to have someone come and sit with them and someone to share her challenges and concerns with.  It was clear the elderly were not getting much attention from much staff at Mayan Families.  While I shouldn't say that being there such short time, I could tell from how much they craved attention. I sat with each of them placing my hand on their back and kindly smiling.  We played a little game I used to do when I was 19 with in the assistant living home-brought back such memories.  They must have all said, "Thank you." a few times each as they were so grateful so have someone give them some quality attention and acknowledge their being-that's my job and I am happy doing it.  

                                                                   

                                                

                                     

While I was walking them out, I noticed some looks from the Volunteer Coordinator at the other table.  They seemed to be some concerned looks with the connections I created and my sitting at the other table. It was a lunch with just the management team and the sponsors therefore it was not for volunteers, but I was sitting at the opposite table. The forbidden table as I was suppose to just do the ordinary tourist thing and flock with my same group.  This contributes to my analysis of a slight separation between staff and the locals.  The staff have their outings, lunch, and conversations together and the locals do their own separate thing for lunch. There is never a local staff sitting at their little lunch party of 8 people where they each bring an item.  They usually like to talk about their frustrations with locals, which is why local staff are not invited. While it's a nice organization, there is a clear US and THEM separation, which is present within the atmosphere. The locals are respected by staff, but there is a different conversation and dynamic that occurs..

With this said, I had a feeling with the looks that I was doing something wrong in their eyes. Sometimes good deeds must come undone.  Here comes the 23 year old Yale graduate who is the Volunteer Coordinator at Mayan Families. She is the one I originally spoke with about volunteering-very nice, smart, and organized, but still has a lot of learn.  

"Priscilla, you're not suppose to sit and eat food with them."  "You need to get approval from the lady who supervises. Wow would this be a contradiction in countries that love to share food with one another example: India and Morocco.  

"I'm sorry they just were so happy having me sit with them and I genuinely wanted to talk with them."

"It's okay, we just usually don't have volunteers work with them." 

"Oh, okay. I understand." 

"It's not a problem. I know you were just trying to help. 

It appears that India and Morocco have it right. There is such beauty in the sharing of food as this simple exchange can bring such joy to the soul. PRIS

Believers Saved Me

Went for a run and walked through the market and felt some negative energy coming on. I was talking to local people and being nice, but feeling a bit annoyed and disturbed. I knew that it was one of those days- a bad day where clouds gloom over your head and the only thing you have in the darkness is....your faith.

God knows the times when I need him and he comes through beautifully with people....



Walking back down to my hotel, I hear a group of people singing in Spanish and I can hear that's its worship music. I stand next to them just observing them and taking in the music. It was a moment of confirmation, "Don't worry I am with you."



They all appeared very happy with my presence and invited me to sit down. I sat with them and listened to the believers read scripture. In Spanish countries, it is common for people to pray out loud, which is what they did. While I sat along with them and read my prayers, I felt like the prayers were becoming more intense, louder and faster. 

After about 45 minutes, it was my time to go home. I said my prayers and I heard the scripture and I received the message. The message that God loves me and whenever I am feeling down, keep my faith and he will come through.

Rainy days can also bring sunshine if you let in the light.(PRIS)

Sometimes I feel like throwing my hands in the air

But I know I can count on you

Sometimes I feel like saying Lord I just don't care

You've got the love I need to see me  through

When food is gone you are my daily meat

When friends are gone I know my Saviors love is real

You've got the Love

You'e got the Love

YOU'VE got the love

-Florence and the Machine-

Sonrisa, Sonrisa

"Sonrisa" in Spanish means "Smile." When Guatemala Smiles, it is magical.  Some people light up your heart and spirits connect making it a pure experience between two humans.  Often I will encounter those with their top teeth missing and just one on each side.  There smile is just as beautiful as a person who did have teeth  because the spirit shines.  The spirit is within the self and it is not reflected in external beauty. Often people will comment on my beauty and after time I realized that they are not commenting on how I look rather they are commenting on my spirit.  It is my God given spirit, which shines through my smile.  For these Guatemalans who are Mayans, there is a spiritual energy that is coming through their being.  It is being transmitted from the sky, moon, stars to the person.  Many Mayan people are full believers in astrology and their spirituality is present in life form, but also the structures they create especially the Mayan ruins. 

The Mayan population does not just shine through their smile, but they shine from what God gave up them up above in his own nature.  

Keep Smiling My Local friends, students, teachers, street vendors, hotel workers-everyone keep smiling=)