Preface: I wrote this blog entry about a month ago, and have been rewriting it ever since. Now it’s my last Saturday in Antigua, and I sense the need to post this before leaving. This experience impacted me deeply. I don’t know if these words adequately capture my feelings and thoughts but, for now, it is the best I can do.

 

Even though the sun was shining brightly outside, the room we entered was dimly lit. Despite the many candles placed around the room, the darkness was palpable, almost as if it had a life of its own. I felt the weight of that darkness – physically, emotionally and spiritually. It was not what I had expected to experience on this day of adventure.

It was a beautiful day. I was on a “field trip” with four other students from CSA to visit Lake Atitlán. It is a huge lake, formed thousands of years ago through a massive volcanic eruption. The incredible blue of its water, the towering volcanoes surrounding it and the picturesque villages lining its shore make it an amazing place to visit.

In one of the villages, we visited Maximon. I wasn’t exactly sure what we were going to see. I did know that it was related to Mayan worship both past and present. In my mind’s eye, I imagined a statue in a garden, perhaps similar to some of those around the cathedrals in Antigua. That isn’t what we found.

At Maximon’s house, we were led into the small room lit by candles. Maximon sat on the floor – a wooden statue of a man, trunk and head only, no arms or legs. On his head were two hats, in his mouth was a large fat cigar, around his neck were many scarves. On the floor in front of him was food that had been brought as an offering and a small bowl where we were expected to put our admittance fee. Worshipers of Maximon would put their payment for their requests in that bowl or tuck their money into the scarves. Waiting there in the darkness sat several people who had come to seek his help.

La Azotea Centro Cultural (museum)

Legend has it that Maximon was a hedonistic man whose arms and legs were cut off because of his vices. Before that happened, he was possessed by a god and turned into a saint. Now he is the “grandfather protector” of Guatemala. Yet, for his protection and his help, these people who already have so little must pay more.

I know that Maximon is part of the Mayan/Guatemalan culture, and I respect that history. But this was not simply a display in a museum. This was reality – people literally sitting in darkness, looking for help where no help would be found.  In that moment, I understood the futility of expecting anything in this world – whether made of wood or electronic components or even flesh & blood – to meet our deepest needs.

Tu amor no se rinde - Your love never gives up

When I walked into my church service the next morning, the stark contrast hit me – light instead of darkness, life instead of death, hope instead of hopelessness. I love, serve and live for a God who is alive, who moment by moment gives me the very life that I offer back to him. He will never ask me to give more than what He has already given – the sacrifice of His only Son. No other god ever gave such a gift for me. No other god ever loved me the way He does.

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12) I want to play a part in bringing His Light to the world. That’s what Kids Alive wants to do also. Yes, we will feed, clothe, educate and help with whatever is needed, but most of all, we will offer Jesus who is the Light of Life.