We also discovered that everything is more expensive there. We stopped at a Burger King to grab dinner only to do a quick U-turn back out the door when we discovered that a Whopper Junior value meal was over $6, and the majority of other value meals were $8-10.
Friday we enjoyed an expensive breakfast (because everything is expensive) and had one last swim before heading back across the border. This is where things went downhill. On the way out to Mexico I ignored our GPS and charted my own course. For our trip home I decided to follow the GPS recommended route to see if it would be better. It was not.
Note: Pictures cease at this point as we became more concerned with survival and less concerned with photographing our own demise.
At first we chuckled at the condition of the road as it turned to dirt and took us through some remote towns and villages. Then we moved to, “This is ridiculous!” as we experienced wash-outs and ruts that had our van bouncing. Our final stage was, “Oh, crud!” as we went down a steep mountain and over still rougher roads, always with the promise that a larger and better road was just ahead (according to the GPS). This all came crashing down as night was falling and we realized that route 11 was actually a dead end and we needed to turn around and head back to Quetzaltenango.
With complete dark only 20 minutes away and a serious doubt about whether our van could make it back up the mountain, I was suddenly overwhelmed by the desperation of our situation. There was not a gas station or service center within a 45 minute drive, and having a group of gringos trapped in a remote spot in Guatemala at night is not a good situation at all. While most Guatemalans are helpful and friendly, there are some that are distrustful, angry, and anxious to rob and take advantage. And, having a van full of young attractive girls, I was not comforted by the possibilities.
So, we turned around and headed out as the van was filled with sounds of prayers. At the first steep hill, the van faltered and could not make it. Wanda and the older girls hopped out and began to push, and we made it over the first barrier. From that point, I drove like a bat out of the bad place, taking each corner with as much speed as possible to preserve momentum and praying that God would help the clutch to grab. Somehow (we know it was with God pushing) we made it up even steeper hills than before while bouncing over ruts and rocks. At some point, Brittney began to sing praise and worship songs and the van was filled with a peace as everyone joined. Gradually, mile by mile, we made our way up the mountain and back to the nearest village.
It was there that we encountered the next problem. A nearby storm had created a rushing river down the main road heading back to Quetzaltenango, and water was flowing eight to twelve inches deep in our path. It was completely dark, the road was difficult to see, and the prayers continued.
By this point we had decided that once we got back to Quetzaltenango we were going to find a decent motel and spend the night. We were all physically and emotionally exhausted and desperately needed to rest. (I have never know such fatigue and soreness from driving in my life!) There were no chain motels that we could find, so we prayed that God would help us find a nice, clean, and safe motel at which to stay. We ended up outside a place that seemed to fit the bill, but was confirmed when I asked for rooms and the manager stopped, looked me in the eyes, and asked me if I was a Christ-follower. When I told him that I was, he smiled, told me that he was as well, and said that my family and I were welcome to stay with them. An added bonus was that all 12 of us were able to stay in three rooms for only Q.700 (about $90).
Once we were checked in, we all gathered in one room and had a time of thanksgiving and praise to God for His protection and help. At that point, the reality of what we had faced hit home for some and tears began to flow. This all may seem silly to you if you are unfamiliar with Guatemala’s remote areas. It is hard to communicate effectively how desperate our situation really was. It is also hard to communicate how miraculous it was that our loaded van was able to drive those roads back up that mountain. We know it was the hand of God that got us out of that situation, and our gratitude for His grace and help is overwhelming.
On Saturday morning we completed our journey home without further problem. On the way to Mexico we had a playful argument about what to name our GPS. The kids wanted to name it Raquel, while Wanda and I were settled on Carlita. (Get it? CAR-lita?) After the journey she led us on, we all firmly agreed on a name. She is now hereby labeled Cruella Deville, after the villainous women on 101 Dalmatians. She can consider herself fortunate that I didn’t throw her off the mountain at some point.
Through it all, we are very grateful for the following:
- For a refreshing time together in Mexico.
- For God’s protection and provision through the ordeal.
- For our van, which performed beyond what any 15 passenger vehicle should ever have to perform and held up through it all.
- For the way our faith and trust grew through the experience.
And through it all, we learned a valuable lesson:
- Never, ever, ever trust a GPS in Guatemala!
Thanks for your prayers and support!
Daryl, Wanda, and the Crew
