Sunday, July 6, 2008
Rise and shine for the Guatemala Team! We awoke to horns honking, birds singing, radios playing, firecrackers being set off and our alarm clocks.
Today is market day in Chichicastenango. The excitement started before daylight with busses and trucks arriving from the outlying areas bringing people
and their goods to be sold. Sometimes as many as 23 people would pile out of a van along with their wares. The Mayan people were dressed in
colorful native costume bearing goods in large woven baskets. The children were being children, running around playing, laughing and jostling each
other. Everyone seemed to be in a high state of excitement, including our team.
Today is market day in Chichicastenango. The excitement started before daylight with busses and trucks arriving from the outlying areas bringing people
and their goods to be sold. Sometimes as many as 23 people would pile out of a van along with their wares. The Mayan people were dressed in
colorful native costume bearing goods in large woven baskets. The children were being children, running around playing, laughing and jostling each
other. Everyone seemed to be in a high state of excitement, including our team.
After breakfast we couldn't wait to get out into the market place. The team took off in small groups to explore and shop. The streets were lined with
brightly colored wares of all kinds; embroidered purses, hand-woven items of every nature, beaded articles, wooden animal masks, and necklaces of
native stones. Children were at our sides selling necklaces and small purses. The avenues were crowded with Guatemalans along with many touristos
of many nationalities. We wandered among the stalls buying gifts to bring back home.
brightly colored wares of all kinds; embroidered purses, hand-woven items of every nature, beaded articles, wooden animal masks, and necklaces of
native stones. Children were at our sides selling necklaces and small purses. The avenues were crowded with Guatemalans along with many touristos
of many nationalities. We wandered among the stalls buying gifts to bring back home.
We ate lunch in the hotel and prepared to leave for Camanchaj and the construction site. We would have a preview of the pre-school and clinic. Our
ride to Camanchaj is a thrilling one as we bump along in our bus. We arrived at the construction site and see that the team before had made some
progress on the second floor. Concrete blocks were waiting to be moved to the second floor.
ride to Camanchaj is a thrilling one as we bump along in our bus. We arrived at the construction site and see that the team before had made some
progress on the second floor. Concrete blocks were waiting to be moved to the second floor.
Inge, our Salud y Paz coordinator, told us it was time to attend church. We walked down the highway following a dirt path to the Methodist church.
Church is held in the afternoon and we were greeted with open arms. Our interpreter, Daniel, was very helpful by explaining what was being said. The
service was much the same as in our church at Coronado Community Methodist Church, but with a Guatemalan twist. The church was very simple
and meditative. The singing was a cappella, led by a young woman in the church. The voices of the church attendees was beautiful. Our team was
asked to sing and we chose "Go Now In Peace". Our effort was appreciated. Many of the young children came freely in and out of the service. After
the service, Inga said, "Tomasa is here". For the team members who met her, she looks healthy and wonderful. She and Janet had huge smiles
across their faces and tears in their eyes. There was a joyful reunion.
Church is held in the afternoon and we were greeted with open arms. Our interpreter, Daniel, was very helpful by explaining what was being said. The
service was much the same as in our church at Coronado Community Methodist Church, but with a Guatemalan twist. The church was very simple
and meditative. The singing was a cappella, led by a young woman in the church. The voices of the church attendees was beautiful. Our team was
asked to sing and we chose "Go Now In Peace". Our effort was appreciated. Many of the young children came freely in and out of the service. After
the service, Inga said, "Tomasa is here". For the team members who met her, she looks healthy and wonderful. She and Janet had huge smiles
across their faces and tears in their eyes. There was a joyful reunion.
Too soon, it was time to leave and begin our journey (one we will make twice each day) back to Chichi.
Dinner was served by the hotel then we met in Steve, Gary and Gil's "suite" for our evening devotions. A memorable lesson was presented by Gil and
Gary, everyone felt we had been blessed by being able to make this journey to Guatemala. We look forward to our "work" day tomorrow. The
medical/dental clinic will be open on Monday so we will meet the people of Camanchaj.
Gary, everyone felt we had been blessed by being able to make this journey to Guatemala. We look forward to our "work" day tomorrow. The
medical/dental clinic will be open on Monday so we will meet the people of Camanchaj.
May God bless each of you,
| Team Guatemala 2008 |
| Parrot at Santa Tomas Hotel |