Many seniors are getting ready to pack up their bags and leave home soon, but for Senior Maria Hanson her route is a little different.
“This upcoming summer I hope and plan to go to the city of Quetzaltenango, Guatemala; the country’s second largest city.” While there, she plans to stay with a host family and attend a Spanish immersion school.
This wont be Hansen’s first time to the beautiful country though, last summer she and a group of other missionaries went on a mission trip to Momostenango, Guatemala. While there, she helped the community and hung out with the kids.
Following her mission work she vacationed in Antigua, Guatemala to vacation and site see. “What can I say” Hanson notes, “I fell in love with Guatemala” Although bravery was a clear characteristic Hanson had she wasn’t always in good spirits.
“The night before I left, I was freaking out. I almost didn’t want to go anymore. I don’t know exactly what I was afraid of either…you hear a lot of horror stories of things happening to people when they are in 3rd world countries.” But Hanson’s mental strength proved to be stronger than her fears.
“I was still excited though and decided not to think about what could go wrong.”
And it’s a good thing she did! While in Guatemala Hanson got the opportunity to hike up and around volcanoes (some active), see exotic beauty in the nature, and make connections with amazing people.
“When it was time to leave, the village threw us a farewell party. There were a lot of goodbye hugs and tears. A lot of them had nothing and yet they were the kindest, happiest people I’ve ever met.”
Now that Hanson is back in Minnesota she is working on getting her CNA licence and preparing for her future in the U.S. She plans to attend Concordia, Gustavus, or St.Bens next fall for Nursing. Despite her enthusiasm for her plans at home she definitely has plans to get back on a plane soon.
“I would love to travel to more countries. Exposure to other cultures is interesting and fun! It get’s you out of your comfort zone and teaches you about the world around you!
According to www.shorttermmissions.com short-term mission trips drew in 1.6 million Americans to foreign fields last year. With America having over 1,000 mission organizations.
“I think that everyone should have the experience of doing mission work. It doesn’t have to be in another country or through a church. I love the feeling of helping others and want others to feel that.”
Hanson says she intends to keep ties with the people she has met and impacted in Guatemala and hopes to visit as much as possible.
