Guatemala is known as the “Land of Eternal Spring” because of its natural beauty and pleasant climate. It has mountain ranges, La Sierra Madre and Los Cuchumatanes, which run across its lower half from east to west in a crescent shape. Guatemala’s 35 volcanoes dominate the landscape. It also has a diversity of fauna and flora that captivate many a visitor.
Yet, with all of its natural wonders, probably that which attracts more visitors from every part of the world is the native people with their varied history and culture. The country has a Mayan tradition that dates back 3,400 years and a Spanish influence that made its impact in the 1500s. When the Spanish arrived, they found a dense population of small kingdoms dispersed throughout the land. The descendents of these past kingdoms are what today can be found in the nearly fifty percent indigenous population, which still speaks over 22 different Mayan languages. The other fifty percent is made up primarily of Ladinos, Mayan descent people who mixed with other nations, especially European, and who primarily form the ruling class. The influence of Spain continues to be felt—and heard—in the official language of Spanish.
This mixture of cultures is what you will find wherever you go in Guatemala. In the capital, Guatemala City, you can find modern, high-rise buildings, bumper-to-bumper traffic, and busloads of people. Yet, among all of this, you will also see those who are pulling carts, carrying loads on their backs, or those dressed in their typical indigenous clothing. Most of the population still lives in rural communities, but today many have sought to find their home in the capital. Outside of the big cities, you will find small, relatively quiet communities of people.
Today, the people of Guatemala—now about 14 million in number—more than ever need men and women who can share their lives and sacrifice their time to make known the true and living way, Jesus Christ. The harvest truly is plenteous and the laborers few!