Passengers lurched forward as an aircraft makes contact with the Atlanta International Airport runway. Once the plane is connected to the jetway and the seatbelt lights dim, travelers retrieve their carry-ons and shuffle out of the cabin. While this may be routine for pilots and regular travelers, this is no ordinary trip for interpreter Pablo Tagual. He waited 10 years for this moment. He is finally in the United States.

From a young age, Tagual admired his brother’s ability to speak English and translate for services trips directed by mission trip coordinator Phil Smith. Tagual knew he wanted to be like his brother and interpret for the people who came to help his city of San Andrés Itzapa.

“Sometimes my brother took the groups to our house,” Tagual said. “When I was 15, I liked [how] my brother spoke English to them [and] I wanted to do that too.”

Smith leads service trips from Kansas City to Guatemala and noticed Tagual becoming interested in learning English. Around the age of 17, Tagual was allowed to accompany the service groups as they worked which helped improve his English.

“At the beginning it was so hard for me because I felt like I didn’t understand anything,” Tagual said.

Even though English did not come naturally to Tagual, his patience and persistence resulted in becoming able speak the foreign language and fulfilling his dream of visiting the United States.

“The key is to be patient because I was waiting for ten years and here I am,” Tagual said.

Not only was learning a new language as a teenager difficult, Tagual balanced accompanying the service trips with work and school. He had to work during the week and study on Sunday.

“I was working in a restaurant in Guatemala City during the day Friday and Saturday and it was busy so we worked until 3 a.m.,” Tagual said. “I had to go back to study on Sunday, so Saturdays we started working at 6 a.m. and finished work at 2 or 3 a.m.”

After Tagual’s long work hours in Guatemala City, he would then ride a chicken bus two and a half hours back to school where his teachers were surprised by his growing interest in English.

“I liked English so I started studying hard, and my grades got better,” Tagual said. “My teacher wondered why my grades were getting better and I said, ‘I like it now.’”

Tagual’s hard work and determination allowed him to become a consistent translator for the groups Smith brings to San Andrés Itzapa.

“Pablo’s English has improved dramatically as a result of his hard work,” Smith said. “I feel his improvement speaking English has helped with developing his confidence as a leader.”

His charisma and energy with the groups formed connections with people in Guatemala and the United States. Students who have gone on the service trips remember Tagual and the fun he brings to the trips.

“He is so welcoming and full energy and brings everyone joy,” senior Melissa Hamilton said. “He’s so funny and happy that you just can’t help but be happy too when he’s around.”

One of the friendships Tagual has made offered him a place to stay when he arrived in Kansas City. Junior Lily Muehlbach and her brother became friends with Tagual during their first trip to Guatemala in 2016 and returned this past summer for another trip. Tagual has been staying with their family for a portion of his two month trip.

“My brother thought it would be fun to show him around Kansas City and show him the hospitality he showed us in Guatemala so he invited him to stay at our house,” Muehlbach said.

Tagual plans to work and make connections with more people while he is in the United States. He also hopes the trip will improve his English and allow him to give back to his community even more.

“[I am] trying to make a better world because they don’t know really what the lives of Guatemala are.” Tagual said. “How to learn [English] is to come here because you don’t have a choice but to speak.”

Once Tagual returns to Guatemala, his plans to helps the community will go even further than interpreting for the service trips. Tagual also wants to help teach English and give people more opportunities.

“I plan to continue helping with the translation and I plan to work with a program there with english classes,” Tagual said.

Even with the ability to speak English, opportunities are limited. However, Tagual hopes teaching English will continue to help improve his community.

“With English you have [about] 20 options but without you have like 3,” Tagual said.

Tagual is ultimately determined to help people whether it is interpreting for service trips or teaching English. His favorite day with the service trip groups is visiting the sick because he sees how much joy it brings them.

“One of the things i like to say is it’s not about language, it’s just about feeling. Even though they don’t speak English and you don’t speak Spanish it’s just touching hearts and at the same time they are so happy you can feel it the same way,” Tagual said.

While service trips to Guatemala will continue be a great help to the community of San Andrés Itzapa, Tagual is an example of what can happen when people from different backgrounds work together towards a common goal. Tagual’s trip to the United States is bridging the gap between two different cultures and giving him a chance to experience the United States.

“While everyone traveling to San Andres has had the opportunity to experience Pablo’s culture, Pablo has never had the opportunity to experience our culture,” Smith said. “I feel these experiences help everyone to understand and respect each others lives and culture.”