Three Countries in Two Days!

Day 12 and 13...the adventure contines!
Yesterday we left Mexico and entered Guatemala. We left the hotel at 7am, anticipating a bit of a challenge/delay at the border. Well, we were not disappointed. We met a "Tramitador" at the gas station just before the border. A Tramitador is a proffession in Guatemala. These guys help people navigate the red tap and get through transactions for a fee. I negotiated with him for abit and then we agreed upon a fee for his services. He really was a big help. Without him, we would not have been able to find the place to get our $200 "promise to leave Mexico with the car" fee reimbursed. As it was, we had to drive 45 km back into Tapachula to find the only customs agent where this could take place. He was also a huge help in knowing where to go to get all the documents we needed, having things translated and notorized. Sadly, although, he also sold us a permit for all of Central America that was not a real permit. It cost us the $200 he helped us get refunded and isn't worth the paper it is written on. Oh well..we are learning. At least we broke even.
Before we left on this trip, we had heard all of these horror stories about getting into Mexico and driving in Mexico. Some people we talked to thought we were crazy to drive through Mexico. To be honest, our Mexican experience was incredible. The customs agents were helpful and patient and we did not have to go from one office to another to get things done. We also didn't stand in line after line to get things done and we didn't get ripped off. The roads in Mexico, for the most part, were great! The gas stations were amazing and they all had great bathrooms with toilet paper and running water! Wow!
We really didn't start experiencing any problems until we hit Guatemala and Honduras. Now I use the word problems, but that is too strong a word. I think we just really felt we were in Central America when we arrived at the border between Mexico and Guatemala. From start to finish, it took us 4 hours to process into Guatemala, and that was with help! It wasn't that things were not going well - that was normal.
We spent last night in Antigua and enjoyed being in familiar territory for a night. Then this morning, we left Antigua, Guatemala, for Honduras. We arrived at the border at 12:30 and it wasn't until 3:20 that we finally pulled out of the Customs and Immigration office on the Honduras side. Yikes! That meant another day where we were going to be driving at night. We drove to San Pedro Sula, Honduras. We didn't arrive at our hotel until 8:30pm - a very long and tiring day.
This trip has been teaching us many things. First, I think we are learning to be patient with others and not worry about walking into the unkown. At every corner we have felt the Lord guiding and directing us. Even when we have gotten turned around, the Lord sends someone our way to help. Like tonight. We had reservations at a hotel that we couldn't find. It was dark and we were super tired. We stopped at a gas station and I couldn't wrap my head around the directions we were given. Finally, we asked the guard to call us a taxi. He hesitated because he felt it might not be safe for us. Well, when the taxi arrive, the guy driving was a Christian and he lead us to the hotel. When I tried to pay him, he said, no, we were lost and he was happy to help. I paid him anyway and thanked him - what a blessing! Talk about the Lord being right there.
We have also learned to be patient with ourselves and with each other. We have spent 13 days in a small vehicle and even at night we are all in the same room. There is no down time or time apart. The miracle is that we are still all on speaking terms. In fact we are laughing and enjoying each other's company.
Most of all, however, we are learning that God is faithful. When He calls you to a task - in our case to go - He is there with you every step of the way. There have been moments when I am stressed and feeling overwhelmed (like tonight) but I think about His Word and meditate on the truthes I know about my God and my heart is quieted. That peace that passes understanding really is ours for the asking.
Tomorrow - Day 14 - we are meeting Florence from Adventure in Missions in La Ceiba, Honduras. We are asking the Lord to guide our steps and speak to us regarding where He would hve us invest our lives. If you'd be willing to pray with us, we would be ever so thankful!
Blessings,
Karren, Rocky (our fearless driver) and Hope