B.J. Murrey - World Orphans, Central America

Here I am in Guatemala City. I just sat down to a cup of reflection (aka coffee) at a local coffee shop with free wireless internet. With a McDonald's breakfast in my belly and morning motivation in my cup, here is what I know about driving in Guatemala City so far:

•  Laws in Guatemala are just "suggestions" 
• Street signs in Guatemala must be very expensive because there are almost none
• Emissions is a requirement - if your car does NOT emit noxious fumes, you shouldn't drive it 
• When you see 2 lanes on the road, that means minimum 3
• It's perfectly acceptable to pass on a blind curve on a mountain road with no guardrail if you use your hi beams.
• Blinkers are optional.
• ...so are brake lights
• If you miss your turn, simply turn on your hazards and back up
• If you see a one way street, remember, that's just a SUGGESTION
• if you want to turn left on the highway you can do so from the right lane, but ONLY if you roll down your window and wave your hand a bit

However, not all of this is bad, just different. In fact, besides the noxious fumes part, I enjoy driving here. It is more my style anyway. I haven't seen any wrecks here. Usually it's only people walking in the street that are killed by cars, not car wrecks.

Also, the street system makes amazing sense once you get your bearings. Streets run east to west. The farther south you go, the higher the street number. Avenues run north to south. The farther west you go, the higher the numbers.

What is aggrevating though is that there are several inter-american highways here which are numbered CA1, CA2, CA9, etc. Well, no one knows where they are or what their numbers on. You can find them on a map, but not on road signs. CA9 is also known as Calle Marti, Calle Elena, Calle Bolivar and the road to Escuintla... but never CA9. My room mate, Wosbeli (pronounced Bos-bell-e) told me the only time he ever heard of the CA9 was when I pointed it out to him on the map. Take into account he has lived here all his life!

So right now, I am settling in and getting acquainted directionally. There's not much that I am lacking to be honest. This is a great place to live and work. There are all the modern conveniences of home and some ones that we SHOULD have at home. It's is so inexpensive to live here, which is good for me since 100% of my income is fundraised!

The las thing to note, but no the least thing, is that it is amazing to be living here now & looking back on my life realizing all the steps God has used to get me here. Certainly I miss my friends, family, church(es) and loved ones, but where else should you desire to be but exactly where God wants you?