We Offered Ourselves as Volunteers
We contacted an international development organization we supported and explained our idea. They were less than encouraging at first. Having only limited experience with church groups and student volunteers, the program directors were skeptical about our practical value to their village projects. But, persistence won out, and they eventually agreed to a five-day visit at one of their more established sites in Central America. Aware that their acquiescence was less an acknowledgment of our usefulness and more a cautious indulgence of our idealism, we earnestly accepted our invitation to Conacaste, Guatemala. Four months later, as newlyweds, we were off on our honeymoon!

After a predictably captivating week in Florida, I was both eager for, and apprehensive about the next leg of our journey. The evening before our flight, I mentally reviewed all I knew about Guatemala.  It took about two minutes.  On the plane, I mentally replayed news stories while my idealism melted into acute anxiety. I shut my eyes tight to hold back the tears. Descending to the airport, I prayed that I could be useful in some small way. I had never before, nor since, felt so inadequate.

Our introduction to Conacaste assuaged my fears. The program directors and local community leaders, several of whom spoke English, welcomed us warmly. One of my first thoughts were: "They're just like us." Gazing around the gently folding valley, a sense of purpose overcame me. My comfort grew each time a nodding or smiling villager greeted me or waved in my direction.