Let's learn about Guatemala!

So... Where is Guatemala? What the heck is there to know about it? Well...

It is in Central America- bordered by Mexico, El Salvador, Belize, and Honduras.

Guatemala gained its independence in 1821, after 3 decades as a Spanish colony. Prior to the arrival of the Spanish, Maya civilization flourished there. 

Manuel Estrada Cabrera ruled Guatemala from 1898 to 1920. His dictatorship allowed for the United Fruit Company to exercise its power in the Guatemalan political and economic arenas.

In 1954, a CIA-backed a coup led to the downfall of democratically-elected President Arbenz after he legalized the communist party and attempted to nationalize United Fruit's plantations.

The country underwent a civil war from 1960 to 1996, which saw government forces battling leftist rebel groups. During the war, an estimated 200,000 Guatemalans perished, many as a result of the government "disappearance" program. Allegations of genocide perpetrated by the Guatemalan government persist to this day.

Today, Guatemala is a constitutional republic although many social and economic problems persist. It is considered a biodiversity hotspot and boasts a population of over 15 million. Its capital, Guatemala City (Nueva Guatemala de la Asunción) sits at 4.900 ft. and is the most populous city in Central America with an estimated population of about 4,000,000. 

Currency: Quetzal
Language: Spanish, along with approx. 21 Mayan dialects

Hindsight

Last night, I returned from D.C., where I spent the past week participating in orientation at IJM HQ. It was like drinking from a fire hose, and while my anxiety level is heightened, I am even more excited to head to the field.

I had an epiphany last week: Someone asked me (more than once) how I heard about IJM, and I shared that I was first introduced to IJM via a book conference at Peachtree Presbyterian in the spring of 2007. That semester, I was originally going to study abroad in Argentina, but due to some personal and family issues, I decided to postpone my semester abroad until the fall, and I withdrew from Clemson. I lived with my parents in Atlanta and did an internship in the Global Missions department at Peachtree. It was there that I learned about IJM. Also, I participated in a short-term mission trip to Guatemala. (I came home after just a couple days because I got strep throat.)

So here I am, six and a half years after that semester in which I traveled briefly to Guatemala and learned about IJM. I am leaving on September 28th to serve with IJM-Guatemala as an Aftercare Fellow. Surely, the Lord foresaw the path to the place where I currently find myself. I am so amazed at how He uses all things in my life, bringing them together and always offering me a hindsight vision that proves His faithfulness.