Basket Balling through Guatemala

What is up everyone.

I hope this blog finds you well. I just wanted to check in and give everyone a quick update about what has been going on the past couple weeks.

Guatemala has been extraordinary in so many ways. The beautiful green landscape surrounded by volcanoes that peak through the clouds instills a sense of awe for the one who designed it all.

Ecclesiastes 3:11

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”

Huge Praise!

Over our time here my buddy Ben and I have been teaching basketball during PE class in Santa Marta. Don’t get me wrong it was a lot of fun, but these kids had no basketball hoops. One day Ben and I were talking after class and set our minds on getting these kids some basketball hoops.

Within a couple days we had raised enough money to get these kids basketball hoops! Thank you so much to those who donated. The kids love the hoops (spoiler alert). We had the money, now all we needed was to find some hoops. This led to a wild goose chase around Guatemala City and after searching 4-5 stores all across the city we realized that finding a hoop might be a little harder than we thought. The hour-long chicken bus ride back to base was very disheartening. Coming back empty handed was not what we planned on doing but by no chance were we giving up. We reached out to a few people and eventually found 2 brand new basketball hoops on Facebook Market Place, and they were willing to deliver the hoops to the school in Santa Marta!

About 2 weeks ago the hoops were delivered and it has been awesome! The kids love the hoops, and it has been so cool watching them get the hang of it. One thing that I think is kind of funny is that they always have one person stay by each of the hoops who acts like a goalie. (They play like it is soccer a little bit)

 

Other stuff

The past two weeks have been busy. On top of teaching, cooking, and cleaning at the school. We have been handing out water filters, and rice boxes in Santa Marta and El Dorado. We also worked with some other volunteers from Guatemala City who were super cool. A lot of them were learning/working on their English so it was fun to bounce what Spanish we know and what English they know off each other.

One Weekend we were able to go up to Lake Atitlán for a little adventure and rest. The lake was absolutely Stunning. The placid blue water surrounded once again by 3 giant volcanos was a sight that filled you with wonder. The first day was an awesome adventure that led to some pretty sweet cliff jumping. The Second day took a turn for the worst as the D.O.Gs (Disciples of God) were hit with some of the most intense food poisoning I have ever experienced. The experience was humbling.

 

Looking Forward

 

We are in Guatemala for a little less than a month before we head to Vietnam. This past weekend we found out a little information about our ministry in Nam. We will be teaching English and working with college students. One thing that is extremely exciting is that it is actually illegal to evangelize or share the gospel in Vietnam. A lot of the people we will be around it will be the first time they have ever heard the gospel. That is crazy. As our team leader jokes, “we will get to do some holy lawbreaking.”

With that being said continual prayers from you guys for safety and that we will have impact is vital.

That is all for now. Pictures bellow. I Miss everyone back home a lot but am excited to continue on this journey.

Gratitude + Love you guys

I am extremely grateful for everyone who has supported me financially over the past few months. None of this would be possible without your guy’s faith. Over the next few months, I will need to complete my fundraising. If you feel called to support me here is the link.

https://adventuresinmissions.servicereef.com/events/adventures-in-missions-3/2023-world-race-gap-year-route-2/participants/john-teter

 

Until next time,

God Bless Ya’ll