Final Day - But More Posts to Come

Well, this was it, our final full day in Guatemala. We headed to Antigua Guatemala for the day. There will be a write up with photos soon. Even after our return, there will be a few updates with our reflections, photos, and the reminder that if you are interested in the trip next August (Aug. 2-9, 2014), paperwork will be due in September.

I wanted to post a reflection from one of our teens. Please see below for Ana's thoughts on one of our first days in Guatemala:

Well today is August 7th 2013 and it is the third day that I am on this mission trip. Today was the first real day of work for me, the other two days were getting settled and visiting Guatemala City. 

First we got to visit the nursery in the garbage dump and then we split off into two groups. Some of us stayed in the nursery and the other group went back to Francisco Coll School. I stayed at the nursery and was placed in a class full of six year olds. They welcomed me with a bunch of hugs and questions, I barely speak Spanish and there was a little bit of a language barrier but in a way I still understood what they were trying to say; the kids are so full of life, the smiles lit up the room, along with the giggles and the Spanish words being spoken so quickly that I didn’t even get a chance to think about what they said before they were on to the next topic. Seeing the conditions that they live in its amazing to still see not only the kids but the parents and the other adults so happy and full of joy and greet people with such politeness. 

This has been my second year back with my church and volunteering with International Samaritan, last year we built a cement roof but this year in the afternoon I got to use a sledge hammer and a chisel and attempted to chisel away cement, it was harder than I imagined and I had help from some of the men watching but it was still an honor to do something to help the School.  

This trip has been wonderful so far, I was born in Guatemala and when I found out that there would be another trip to Guatemala I jumped on the opportunity, I will gladly take any chance I can get to come down and help out. 

This has truly been a great experience, one I will never forget. -Ana 

A Bittersweet Goodbye...and then it rained

Today began like the past couple - a fantastic breakfast, a ride into the city and arrival at the school and nursery.

However, it was our final day in the school and nursery.

Legos are beloved by all children it seems.
However, these kids play with several varieties so they do not
connect, yet they thoroughly enjoy their play time.

While we participated in the routine activities, it soon came time for goodbyes.  The nursery classrooms gave their volunteers small gifts before they left to return to the Francisco Coll school.

Once we were all gathered at Francisco Coll, we were treated to a goodbye presentation. There were dances and musical performances for us.

Children drumming during a song.

As we felt they deserved a performance in return, we did a choreographed dance to a Christian rock song. It was quite appreciated! The students then gave us crosses, key chains with the quetzal bird, and several drawings. The school as a whole gave us a beautiful painting in the shape of a cross. It will be framed and hung once we return!

After such a morning, we enjoyed some lunch before a hard afternoon of concrete, rock and dirt. Some moved dirt, some shoveled rocks, some made concrete. We all worked hard. Our primary project was framing this doorway with concrete.

However, that 30% chance of rain that was forecasted everyday this week finally let loose. We experienced an incredibly noisy storm. 

Finishing up just after the rain passed.

Despite the rain we were able to finish the sides of the frame. It was a good day's work. While we were finishing up, some children were showing off in homes far above the school.

Soon it was time to leave. We are sad to leave the school that was so kind to us. However, everyone is also looking forward to exploring Antigua Guatemala tomorrow. I suspect that we will also be a bit sore from all the concrete mixing and shoveling of dirt and gravel.

We specifically requested a dinner that is authentic Guatemalan food. If the smell is any indication, we are in for quite a treat tonight. Then we will have night prayer and head to sleep.

~Jennifer

Thursday in the Dump

The retreat center has a new router and we have the ability to post again.

Today began much like yesterday. Our morning started with a simple morning prayer in the chapel followed by a great breakfast. By 8:00 am we were on the road to pick up our guards and then to the school. Those spending the morning in the classrooms in the Francisco Coll school were dropped off with a guard. Then the rest of us headed to the nursery where we were deposited with a guard.

As each of us are in a different aged classrooms, our days vary from helping with English lessons to correcting multiplication problems to learning what words begin with the letter M. Those in the nursery often get the added workout of helping the children across the monkey bars or being the center of a game that is either tag or chase the volunteer.

Unsurprisingly, lunch is usually looked forward to by us all. However today we had a challenge issued to us by the school - a soccer match. Thus, despite some rumbling stomaches, we headed to the dirt and stone covered area the school uses for the soccer practices. As they have won tournaments and neither of our past two groups could claim a victory, we were prepared for a tough game.

Our van driver (in the white shirt) found some practical clothes
and took on the role of referee.

As we were prepared for the worst, it turned into an exciting match with a shootout win at the end in our favor.

Next was a well deserved lunch break (with plenty of water). We only worked on the roof and new doorway for about an hour as we were scheduled to meet at 3:00 pm with the Paso y Paso program.

Paso y Paso is a program for those in the high school age range. It is academics and career formation. They also assist with many of the challenges the youth face - medically, psychologically, and academically. We heard just two stories and they were heart-wrenching.  Extreme violence from alcohol abuse and gangs. Economic conditions that are unimaginable. Loss of loved ones that just add to the pain.

Yet these teens, just the same age as our participants, are working so hard to reshape their lives from the very core of their beings. Through classes, medical and psychological care, and the countless other efforts of Paso y Paso, they are able to step into careers that will help move them to a more secure place in the world.

As that presentation took an hour, it was time for us to enjoy the rush hour traffic on the drive home. Everyone enjoyed the chance to clean up as dust from the construction and general state of the district kept us feeling quite dry and dirty.

Dinner smells great. After that is evening prayer followed by a rehearsal. We have to do a little act for the good-bye assembly tomorrow. We are going to do a little flash mob type dance. And we really do need some more practice.

~Jennifer

Classrooms and Cement

Due to wifi problems, I have to keep this short.

This morning we had a wonderful time as each of us was assigned to a different classroom in either the nursery or school. I had the pleasant surprise of being put into the class where there were children who I had in the class my first trip here four years ago. They have definitely grown up!

Many struggled as our Spanish understanding wasn't quite up to the constant and multiple voices coming at us from the kids, but the children were simply so excited to see us they did not mind.

Our afternoon was spent finishing a cement and cinderblock wall and chipping away at cement to put a door where a wall had stood.

Hopefully I will be able to post more soon, but I fear I will soon lose the connection.

~Jennifer

The Central City

Once we finished the tour of the garbage dump zone, we headed back to the school where we had lunch. With all the groceries we bought yesterday, we enjoyed a simple meal of pb & j sandwiches, chips, apples, and cookies.

Our next stop was the central square by the cathedral. We took a quick tour of the exterior of the cathedral, the executive branch building, and the fountain. Next we walked down the street to the former main post office. Now this beautiful building is a municipal school for the arts - painting, sculpture, music and dance. Our final stop of the afternoon was the cathedral interior which was now open.

The exterior of the cathedral.
The posts on the fence list the names of those killed or missing
during the long periods of unrest and violence in Guatemala.

The home of Guatemala's executive branch.

The old post office had a beautiful courtyard.
The art and music students sat around and in it eating their lunches.

The main altar of the cathedral.

The youth are enjoying playing euchre, talking, and journaling as they unwind from the day. Dinner will be in a few moments followed by evening reflection.

Until tomorrow!

~Jennifer

A Warm Welcome

Watching the presentation

After discovering we all slept soundly through the earthquake, we headed down to breakfast. There we were spoiled with a breakfast of french toast, eggs with various seasonings, refried beans, rolls, papaya, watermelon, and juice.

Everyone enjoyed the meal and the time to socialize when everyone was a bit better rested. There was much discussion over the fantastic fruit, slightly odd refried bean log, and how overall incredible the meal was.

Once we all finished eating and cleaning the tables, we grabbed our gear and the groceries we had bought for our lunches. We loaded the van and headed to the Francisco Coll school. The welcome there was warm and exciting. First graders greeted us at the gate with little cards that had quetzal birds on them. They promptly began hugging us and ushering us into the central courtyard around which the classrooms are arranged.

We took our seats and proceeded to enjoy an all-school presentation. Some of the older girls and boys danced a traditional dance with drum accompaniment. A few very talented children performed gymnastics and hula hoop routines.

Then we were taken on a walking tour through the shacks and small homes in the area. Two people opened their homes to us so we could see what their homes were like. The self-constructed shacks were cobbled together with items scavenged - corrugated metal roofs, metal or wood slabs for sides, dirt floors, rags for privacy curtains. These homes were barely big enough to hold our group of 12, but would be home to several people, often 5 or more.

We then headed to a cemetery that allowed us to have an incredible overview of the garbage dump. There are roughly 10,000 people who work in the garbage dump industry, such as it is. Take a look at what the dump looks like:

An overview of just one portion of the garbage dump.

People scavenging for recyclables that can be sold.
Their income is usually about $1.25 a day.

The machinery pushes the garbage down, further into the dump.
However, accidents often happen with the people scavenging.

That was our morning. This afternoon's adventures will be posted later!

Earthquake?

Apparently there was an earthquake here last night.

I am happy to report that not only did no one suffer any harm from it, but it seems we all slept through it. Guess that happens after a 20+ hour day.

Morning pray is in just a couple moments, so this is the only morning update. Watch for this evening's post - hopefully with pictures!

Also, if you would like us to report on or share about anything in particular, please post a comment.

~Jennifer

Safe Travels

It is my pleasure to report that the group (and our luggage) all arrived safely in Guatemala.

The day began quite early for us, most of us were up by 2 am and on the road by 3 am. If you happened to be driving by the church around 3:15 this morning, you would have seen our small flock of bleary eyed parents and excited, yet tired, participants. We went through our morning check list. Everyone's luggage was nicely under the weight restriction and no one forgot their passport. That is what I consider an exceptional departure.

Thanks to the early flight, getting through Detroit Metro was a breeze. Some got a coffee or juice, most of us were eagerly anticipating naps on the flight.

Our plan was right on schedule in Houston. As we had been up for so long, many got lunch at 8:30 CST. We had time to wander, check out the shops, and pick out some food to take with us on the flight to Guatemala City.

Before boarding the flight, we had to have our passports checked again. Once we all were on the plane, there was more napping, some reading, and the inevitable joy of filling out the customs form.

What might surprise a few of you is our relative ease going through customs here in Guatemala. There was only one other flight so the lines were barely in existence. We got our luggage and none of us had to have it inspected.

Matt from International Samaritan and our driver were right there waiting for us. We hopped on our little bus and headed to the retreat center. Once we arrived, we carried our luggage up stairs and had just a couple minutes to put things in our room. The fantastic cooks prepared a light lunch. Their definition of light: chicken, potatoes, mixed vegetables, and pineapple juice. It was fantastic.

Next up was a short orientation from Matt, a surprise visit from Angelica who is the coordinator here for all of Central America, and then a trek to the grocery store. Our group walked a couple blocks to the grocery store where we bought enough groceries for our lunches. The rule was only Guatemalan brands - bread, peanut butter, jelly, chips, soda, tea, cookies, and apples.

Now we are on a bit of break before dinner. Our group is socializing with the group that is here until Wednesday from a Jesuit high school. They are getting along quite well. I think our after dinner plans will be fairly simple as everyone is a bit tired.

Tomorrow we tour the school and a bit of the city. I hope to be able to upload some pictures of what we see and do.

Look for more posts in the day to come!

~Jennifer

P.S. Posts are likely to be before 6 am or after 9 pm local time (Mountain time).