The Fantabulous Chronicles

In the year 2004, my life took an incredible turn as I embarked on a journey that would forever shape my perspective. At the time, I was a 14-year-old high school student who had never ventured beyond the borders of my homeland, except for many visits to our friendly neighbor, Canada. For us Dakotans, that’s akin to hopping to another state. However, the wheels of destiny were in motion as my parents decided to take me and two of my siblings on a transformative adventure to Guatemala. Our mission? To work alongside the God’s Child Project, a charity that holds a special place in my heart.

The God’s Child Project, initiated by the compassionate Patrick Atkinson in 1991, sprang from the heartfelt pleas of orphaned children whom Mr. Atkinson had cared for during the tumultuous Guatemalan civil wars of the 1980s.

Our odyssey commenced in the spring when we boarded a flight from Bismarck, North Dakota, bound for Guatemala City. The moment we touched down, it was clear we had stepped into another world. Everything was different, it was as if we had been transported back in time, where modern conveniences and the everyday comforts we knew ceased to exist. As we exited the airport, the tropical air of Central America embraced us, and the bustling streets greeted our group of volunteers as we made our way to the buses that awaited us, ready to transport us to the homes of our host families.

En route to Antigua, we made a pit stop at a local McDonald’s, and there, we indulged in a cheeseburger. To a teenager, it seemed like a taste of home and a common thread between the USA and Guatemala. However, one bite revealed that the flavor and texture of beef is different in every country. Upon arriving in Antigua, we had a brief encounter with our host families, who kindly guided us to our rooms, allowing us to settle in as our adventure with the God’s Child Project began to unfold.

The following day, we eagerly gathered in the kitchen, where our host family had prepared a delicious meal for us. Let me tell you, the flavors of Guatemalan cuisine were nothing short of sensational. Throughout my travels, the tastes of different countries have remained etched in my memory, and Guatemala’s authentic flavors left an irresistible longing for more.

Following breakfast, we embarked on a short journey through the neighborhoods of Antigua, eventually reaching the God’s Child Project‘s Learning Center. There, we attended a brief introductory meeting before embarking on our mission: to build a home for an impoverished family. These humble abodes would provide these families with safe shelter for years to come, a necessity ensuring that their children had a place to lay their heads at night. It was striking, however, to realize that the materials we were using to build the houses were considered a luxury, but many of us wouldn’t even consider using them for building a simple shed in our own backyards. The materials consisted of lightweight cinder blocks (like 1/3 of the weight of the ones we use here), galvanized steel for the roof, sheathing that resembles lightweight mason boards, and hand mixed cement (sand, rock, and concrete powder).

Yet, Guatemala is a land of radiant happiness. Its people find contentment with little more than a meager roof over their heads and sustenance to fill their bellies. Their happiness and attitude demonstrates the strength and resiliency of their people. My time in Guatemala led me down a path where I as able to fully begin to truly appreciate the blessings in my life and recognize the multitude of opportunities I had access to.

After each day of building, we returned to our host families, where we enjoyed savory meals and had the chance to interact with and get to know the families better. My first host family was that of a former Mayor of Antigua, and although my Spanish was, and still is, quite spotty, I relished the opportunity to practice it in real-world situations. Each evening after dinner, our team leader from the God’s Child Project would take us out, either to shop at the local markets or to experience the vibrant local culture and savor more of Guatemala’s culinary delights.

After about 10 days of tirelessly working with the project, we reluctantly packed our bags and embarked on our journey home. We left with hearts filled with cherished memories of the families we had helped and profound gratitude for the blessings we were returning to. Over the years, I have returned to Guatemala several times, eagerly awaiting the day when I can share these life-changing adventures with my own children, hoping that they, too, will become lifelong volunteers of the God’s Child Project.

In future posts, I will delve deeper into our experiences building homes with the project, our service in homeless shelters, our time at the Casa Jackson Hospital for malnourished children, and much more. Along the way, I have been blessed with the opportunity to meet the dedicated staff of the God’s Child Project and to build alongside them, often forming lifelong friendships. If you ever have the chance to work with the God’s Child Project, I wholeheartedly encourage you to seize it. It is undeniably one of the most exceptional charities in the world, and it will forever change the way you view the world and your place in it. 🌍❤️

Have you ever embarked on a journey that utterly transformed your outlook on life? Share your experiences with us in the comments below, and if you’re eager for more captivating stories like this, don’t forget to show your support by liking and subscribing!