After working at Hungry for Life for three years, I had the opportunity to visit Guatemala and meet our local partners. Before the trip, I thought I knew what to expect. I had seen photos, watched videos, and read stories about what happens there. But as the departure date approached and the trip became real, it began to hit me: I was going to a country I had never been to before. The reality truly set in when I left my house at 3:30 AM.
One thing about me is that I don’t handle unpredictability well. I like to plan my days as much as possible, so I know how much energy I’ll need. The thought of a very long travel day was overwhelming, and I kept worrying about potential delays and how they might extend the day beyond what I had anticipated. However, the anxiety I felt before leaving suddenly disappeared as soon as I got in the car. A strange sense of calm and relaxation washed over me.
Once we took off on the plane, excitement began to build—I would be in Guatemala by sundown. When we landed in Guatemala City and arrived at the hotel, I kept thinking, "I made it through the day." Throughout the week in Guatemala, I began to truly understand what the term “Local Partner” means. Connecting with Pastor Victor and seeing the needs of their ministry made it clear that building these relationships doesn’t happen overnight. I started to see firsthand what Hungry for Life does outside the office, and everything I had heard in conversations with coworkers began to connect with what our local partners do.
Being my first trip with Hungry for Life, seeing what happens outside the office gave me a new perspective and a deeper appreciation for all we have been blessed with in the ministry. None of this would be possible without our faithful donors who continue to bless this ministry.
