What brings you the most pleasure in life?

What does it say that, apart from the wonderful time I spent with my wife, my fondest memory of a cruise ship adventure is an afternoon spent with a 10 year old Guatemalan boy?

Christobol was his name. A young boy who just attached himself to us as we walked down the streets of Santo Tomas, Guatemala. We had avoided the requests of the local cab drivers imploring us to hire them for a trip downtown, and had decided to walk wherever we could walk to. We figured there must be some kind of local market, and sure enough there was. However, the dilemma was trying to find it.

Enter Christobol.

We were talking about the market and sure it had to be somewhere, when we looked to our right and saw this young man walking with us. Not saying anything, he just started going where we were going. Eventually he asked us where we were heading, and he took us to the local market. Not the usual market for tourists! We saw fish, chickens (live), fruits, vegetables, clothing, shoes, etc. All sorts of goods for the local people - and I do mean the locals - we were definitely noticed as outsiders.

Following our 10 year old guide, we walked without thought through some of the most interesting sites of Guatemala. Eyes turned our way, and of course, we greeted people with our best Spanish.

It was wonderful! Not the market. Not the food/items. But the people and the connection with this young man. It reminded me of why I do what I do. People just like Christobol need to hear the gospel, and I have the privilege of sharing it with them via partnering with nationals reaching their own people.

I had the privilege of talking to Christobol about the gospel, and encouraged him to read his Bible.

The day ended with Christobol introducing us to his friend Luis, and playing a little soccer with the cab drivers.

Not a bad way to end our time in Guatemala.