(Note: I want to post pictures with this entry but I also want this to be timely. I will edit it soon and add the pictures. Please check back!)
Once the team arrives it seems I have little time to write. The time is filled with activities and sometimes sleep. As I write, we are at Berea Bible Institute. The young folks are painting and I have gotten a short reprieve to update my blog.
Friday was a long day. Annie, Danielle, Jared and Maggie arrived about noon. I took a transport from Antigua to the airport to meet them. We ate lunch and had the opportunity to go to the central market in downtown Guatemala City. Becky’s plane was delayed so we had a late night.
The next morning, fortified with an excellent breakfast, we loaded the van and headed for Huehuetenango. We took a detour to eat our bag lunches lakeside in Panajachel. I was grateful that everyone was able to see Lake Atitlan. It is a beautiful area ringed with volcanoes and small Maya villages.
The weather was not as cooperative as we would have liked. This is Guatemala’s winter which mainly means it’s the rainy season. We went through several areas of heavy rain. We were delayed at one point where there had been a landslide. The Pan American Highway is fourlaned through most of Guatemala but in reality there are always stretches where most of the road is covered by mud. Nevertheless, we made good time. The young folks drifted in and out of wakefulness. It was a good opportunity to get some rest.
Sunday morning we went to a community called San Gaspar Ixchil. We took the Pan American Highway north and then went up into the mountain past a larger town named Colotenango. San Gaspar Ixchil is a Maya church where the main language is Mam. Thanks to the diligent labor of Wycliffe translators, the Bible is available in Mam. Our group sang in English and Spanish and Jared and Becky both gave testimonies. We are grateful for the privilege we had to share Sunday worship with our brothers and sisters in Christ. A highlight of the service was the profession of faith made by a young lady in front of the church. A new soul was added to the Kingdom!
Because we had some extra time between church and lunch, we stopped along the Selugua River. The massive rains have swelled the river which is now the color of café con leche – very appropriate for Guatemalan coffee country. We had some good photo opps too
After lunch we had some free time so Douglas (pronounced Doog les) took us to see the ruins of Zaculeu, the last stand of the Mam people. We got there right at closing time. No problem – we went to the Huehuetenango State Fair instead. I have been to this fair before and am amused that it is so much like any other fair. There’s way too much food – including roasted corn – and rides and all manner of stuff for sell. What is unusual about it to me is that the ferris wheel goes at about the speed of a roller coaster. I rode it once and never foresee the need or desire to do so again. Our intrepid young folks (and Douglas who is youngish as well) took the challenge and seem eager to do so again. I was very content to hold backpacks and take pictures.
Monday morning we finally had the chance to walk to the Parque Central and Mercado – the Central Park/Square and the Market. I like to take groups into the market through the door that opens onto the butcher shops. Get the rough stuff out of the way first. This is a true Guatemalan market. It is not meant for tourists. Many people buy their meat, fruit, vegetables, grains and anything else they need at the market. This is a slice of Guatemalan life. I have been through this market so many times that I forget that my white face is drawing attention. With five more gringos, we got even more attention. I have never taken pictures inside the market. This is everyday life for Guatemalans and I want to respect that. They are not oddities to be photographed for curiosity’s sake.
Monday afternoon, we went to a home called Finca Juvenil. It is a home for boys who do not have anywhere else to live. Many of them are former drug addicts and/or former gang members. The goal of this ministry is to keep these boys off the streets and make it possible for them to have better lives. I do not know a lot about it yet, but the founder/director is a man named Mark. We did not meet him because he had gone to Guatemala City to be married.
The physical house has been built by the boys and some volunteer groups. They are still working on the inside. Our goal was to do some deep cleaning. Can you imagine the grace of this new bride who is willingly moving into a house with all boys? We were able to help the guys clean the main floor and the second floor. It did look – and smell – much better after we finished. We also cleaned up around the yard. We hope she will be encouraged when she comes to her new home to see it neater and cleaner. We were also able to leave a box full of navy and khaki pants as well as oxford cloth shirts donated by the Cary Christian School uniform sale. The boys can use these for school and work.
Last night the group finished dinner in time to go to Pops, the ice cream store in the mall. They brought it back so they had time to practice their songs, discuss the day and eat ice cream. We had an early to bed night – everyone appreciated that.
This morning we went to the orphanage here in Huehue. Sadly for us, the children were all at the fair. It was a good day to take that many young ones but we were very disappointed not to see them. We might have an opportunity to go back but we are not sure. The young child/mother I mentioned previously is still at the orphanage. Her name is Mercedes. The babies look so much better! I found that their names are Esther Sarai and Esther Nohemi. Good Bible names! Mercedes seemed to be recovering well from childbirth. I gave her a handful of gifts: a couple of crocheted blankets and hats, preemie size sleepers, and socks. We chose one of the quilts made by Jared’s mom to give to Mercedes for herself. Please pray for Mercedes and her tiny daughters. Praise God for this home for her to raise her girls with watchful care.
Becky brought construction paper and markers – all supplies the school needs – and we left these for Alycia, the young lady mentioned in my last entry, to use. We also had small size uniforms for the boys and girls donated by the CCS uniform sale as well. Even in public schools in Guatemala, the children wear uniforms. Since navy blue and white are especially popular here as they are for us, these will be well used. If you are interested in learning more about this ministry you can read their website at MoreThanCompassion.org.
Our next stop was Bonanza Colchas – a factory where blankets (colchas) are woven. The production has been drastically cut since I first saw the facility 13 years ago. There was not a single loom in use. Despite the reduced stock, we managed to buy 18 blankets. Danielle was so intrigued by one that the lady of the home considered inferior that la señora gave it to her. Add one free blanket to the 18!
Finally, we arrived at the ruins of Zaculeu in time to tour. We spent about an 1½ hours walking among the history of the Mam people. Zaculeu was possibly built about 400 AD. The Spanish conquered them in the early 1500’s after a long standoff. The loss at Zaculeu meant the defeat of the Mam. Foreigners are charged Q50 (about $6.50) to enter but Guatemalans pay only Q5 (around 75 cents). The reason is that the native people need inexpensive access for freedom to worship their gods. When we arrived the altar was still smoking from a very recent sacrifice of worship to the gods of the Maya. We prayed God’s protection from the evil one and prayed that God will someday break the hold Satan has over these precious people.
Lunch was ready when we arrived back home: quesadillas, fresh guacamole, black beans – all very good and enjoyed even more. Our afternoon will be the subject of another entry. As for now, it’s almost time for dinner!
¡Adios – hasta luego!
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