FINAL UPDATE

June 23 & 24, 2006

     Our week in Guatemala is coming to a close.

     Our final morning at the clinic was busy.  There was the one last time for Pastor Sebastian to sing with us and pray for our team.  Several of the surgery patients from the week returned for their scheduled re-checks, and there were many of our newfound friends in Camanchaj that said good-bye.

     We left the clinic just after noon on Friday, and Adolpho drove our faithful bus the 3 hours to the ancient city of Antigua.  Along the way, we admired the scenery of this beautiful, volcano-rich country.  Our week’s fix-everything man of inspiration, Joe Leier, rode with us, and provided some commentary on the scenery and country as we progressed.

     When the Spaniards entered this area hundreds of years ago, it is said that they gave the area’s Maya Indians 2 choices: convert to Catholicism or face the sword.  Some chose Catholicism.  The Maya then became the hands that labored to build the historic structures in Antigua today; many of them are 500 years old.

     The Central Park square is a bustling place, with numerous street vendors, a 20-piece brass band, and lots of tourists.  With the team’s Panchoy Hotel just 3 blocks away, it was easy to participate in the fun.  The famous Antigua markets were just 2 blocks from the square.

     The Panchoy is a decent hotel for tourists, but, at nearly $50 per night, is way too expensive for the locals.  There is nice hot water, and a small but beautiful courtyard.  The beds are a mattress on a poured concrete raised slab in each room, and there is a one-inch raised edge for stubbing the toes as one enters each room.

     Dinner on Friday evening was at the Hotel Santo Domingo, a very old structure that was originally a convent for the Spaniards hundreds of years ago.  It is now quite elegant, and was just a 3-block walk from the Panchoy.  Joe Leier said good-bye as we sat down at our long dining table in a 30-foot tall stone room.  He was returning home on “the chicken bus” to his family, awaiting the next opportunity to serve missionaries in Guatemala (see www.freelancemissions.com ), and we said good-bye to this guy who we absolutely could not have done without…

     Saturday morning started very early for 14 of us, as we boarded a tourist bus at 6:30 and headed for Volcan de Pacaya, a very active volcano just an hour bus-ride from Antigua.  Pacaya is said to have last blown its top in 1998, and now is considered to be safer since it is releasing pressure by constant huge lava flows.  It was quite a hike for those on foot, up to nearly 8000 feet, but it was definitely worth the struggle.

    With our group’s guide and our security guard (these mountains aren’t always safe), we were allowed to walk up to the edge of the lava flow, or at least as close as we could stand with the incredible heat… There are many sore thighs and shins in this group tonight.

     Sunday forenoon, we’ll head for the airport to return home.  There are no words that are sufficient to describe the emotions and events that  we’ve experienced this week in Guatemala.

    Hasta la vista.

Typical street in the historic city of Antigua.	"Old church", one of many in Antigua.
Charlie Stump prepares to ascend to the top of Volcan de Pacaya to see the lava flows.	Part of the group gathers in a cloud nearing the top of Pacaya, ready to walk to the lava flows.
Max, Jennifer, and Arlen stand in the heat of the lava with the tour guide.	The famous Lake Attitlan, in the heart of the Guatemalan highlands.
Phil Plunk prepares to leave the Salud y Paz clinic in Camanchaj.	Larry Slade rechecks the hand of a burn scar patient who underwent surgery two days before.