Palenque! [Saturday]

Driving on the jungle roads through Ch’ol country, each curve and bend opened to new views- each more beautiful than the last. I curiously looked out the window to see what would be around the next curve when to my surprise we slowed down and then stopped. There were children standing on each side of the road with a rope stretched across it fishing…for vehicles to stop. Having successfully stopped us, they plastered their faces up against the windows and beat on them trying to get us to open them as they held up different corn products they were hoping to sell. Corn here in Chiapas is the primary food source- essentially a life giving substance. Corn tortillas are their main staple, either comprising an entire meal or at least appearing at every meal. They eat it fresh off the cob, in soup and make drinks with it. So when they offered us corn, essentially they were selling a primary need of life.As we drove on, I couldn’t help but compare that to what we are doing here. We have traveled from village to village meeting another of their basic needs- clean water. However, although we have installed dozens of filters, our purpose goes much deeper than that. We are not only meeting their need of water, but also offering to fill their greater need of Living Water. At every house we go to they welcome us because of the need they see we can fill, and at every house we leave behind us the Word of God in their own native language- whether that be Ch’ol, Zoque, or Spanish.So yes, we are fishing but not in the same way they are. We are fishing for souls and using physical needs as a way to get into their homes and hearts and meet the greatest need of humankind- the need for Jesus Christ.Palenque was amazing! We got to climb all over and explore the ancient Mayan ruins. What an amazing experience to see something that was lived in over a thousand years ago and imagine what life was like for the people back then. It has been fun to see and explore areas like that during this trip.We have grown together as a team so much and also learned a lot individually as God has brought us all through different situations to teach and grow us in so many areas. I don’t want to go, and leave these people, this life, the beauty that surrounds us in so many breathtaking forms, and yes even the smoky kitchens and cold bucket showers! Yet, my time here is almost up. This morning as I was talking with three little girls who quickly made friends with me and followed me everywhere, they asked when I was coming back again. I couldn’t answer their question, but I hope with all my heart I will be back here again and soon!Rachel, for the team