Light shines in the darkness

"What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it."

John 1

At midnight on Christmas Eve here, the sky explodes with fireworks that put our 4th of July displays to shame! Travis and I received a call from Edgar, the man who I call for taxi rides, inviting us to come enjoy Christmas Eve dinner with his family. He invited us into what he called his "simple home" where we held his first grandson of 9 days, talked with aunts, uncles, sons, daughter in laws, nieces and nephews, ate a delicious and generous meal, and then waited for midnight. The display was really amazing: we couldn't decide which direction to face because there were explosions 360 degrees around us, so we just kept spinning. I was thinking about the economic implications. We were in a poorer area of town, and here were hundreds... thousands of Quetzals exploding in the sky. But the night sky lit up like day did remind me that at Christmas we celebrate that life has come into the world- life that is the light of all people, light that overcomes darkness, even the darkness of violence, war, destruction, sickness, loneliness... A sign of hope in a dark place. Edgar's family told us that people used to have parties on Christmas Eve and everyone would weave in and out of one anothers' homes, but that it's not safe any more so everyone just stays inside. The fireworks brought everyone to the street for a half hour that night- the streets and rooftops were filled with spectators cranking their necks to see the light overcoming the darkness.

Travis and I enjoyed a mellow Christmas here.
We did decide to cook an "American traditional" meal, Stovetop stuffing and all!

Yes... it's true

I took advantage of an opportunity to go spend a week with Travis in Princeton. It turned out to be a bit more than a week- fever, hospital visit and antibiotics postponing the return... I'm now back in Guatemala. It was delightful to see Travis of course, spend time with friends in Princeton, and catch the end of fall...

But it was bizarre to be in a place that was so familiar and yet alien at the same time. I had the surprising sensation of returning "home" to Guatemala. I touched down and (using my cell phone that only works here) called Edgar to have him come pick me up. "Como estas Edgar?"... "Siempre en la lucha" (always in the struggle or fight) came his familiar response. Edgar drives a taxi as his source of income, and like many taxi drivers here, he relies on private calls and clients as it can be too dangerous to pick up just anyone on the street. And he is really always in the struggle. Asked if he ever takes a day off, or will enjoy Christmas with his family, he replied that he works every day and is available especially on holidays to drive people around. His income is often the sole income for his family of five which includes his wife, two grown sons and a daughter in law. His wife and two sons all have Epilepsy and are on daily medication. These expenses among other daily necessities require that he work whenever he has the chance. As we passed a huge fake Chistmas tree downtown with a "Gallo" sign on top, (Gallo is the local beer) I laughed and commented on the irony. Edgar was quick to join the critique. He said his mom always told him growing up that Christmas was not a celebration of "tree day" and that Jesus and Mary did not have new clothes or toys to celebrate his birth... the shephards just showed up to honor him. That's how he and his family celebrate now. The noise, pollution, chicken buses, honks, 75 degree weather with the windows down were all familarly welcoming as we bobbed and wove our way through the traffic. Simple reminders of the ordinariness and complete extraordinariness of this season. And the point of it all... to simply honor, recognize, bow at the mystery of a God who would become... did become flesh! God embodied: Astonishing!

Edgar and I are going to pick up Travis today. Though I'm sad to not be "Home home" for the holidays, I'm thankful to feel at home here and have Travis with me for our first joint Christmas celebration.

Friends in low places

It's been a while since I've written... visitors, travels and two antibiotics later I'm back!
Lindsay (one my three dear roommates from Princeton) headed South to escape the Seattle winter, and experience Guatemala. I had my first chicken bus adventure with her- (knees to her chest for literally three hours, she was a trooper and welcomed several strangers to share what we thought was a Two person bus seat). We enjoyed time at Lake Atitlan, Antigua, and Guatemala city in her quick trip.

We caught this beautiful sunset over La Merced church in Antigua.

Waiting for the "lancha" at Lago Atitlan.

The hills were pink with this blooming plant. I never discovered the name, but it was beautiful! This photo was taken on a hike to the near by village of Santa Cruz.