Richard Faith 2016 (07/07 - 12/07/2016)
9 years ago
Friday, September 21, 2012
Time is nearing for the next Grace of Guatemala trip and it should be a fun trip since it will be over Dia de los Muertes...day of the dead or all saints day which is Nov 1. We will be going to see the flying of the hugh hand made kites and visit the colorful cemetery.
We will be returning to visit El Barranco and the delightful people of this lovely little village and delight in the children and their traditional dances that they love to perform for us.
There are those who are returning and those who are going for the first time. The mix is so nice because the veterans are so helpful for those who are coming for the first time.
Several of the group have sponsored students so we will be visiting some or all of their homes which is always a highlight of the trip. Seeing your sponsored student in there homes and meeting their families is a very special treat and often very emotional. Everyone goes away changed forever in a very good way.
Hope you will follow along on our journey come the end of Oct. I will try to keep up with the events as we experience them. Sometimes I get a little behind but I will do the best I can to help you see what we see.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Time to pack up and move on
Day 7 and it is time to pack our belongings and head to Antigua. 
Most will be flying home the next day. As the last minute packing is going on everyone is also saying their last good byes to the street vendors and making last minute purchases. Suitcases are stuffed to the brim and in some cases new bags were bought. There are some very tired peeps.
We get to Antigua in time to get checked into the hotel and off to have lunch at Frieda's Cafe for nachos and margaritas.
There of course is some more last minute shopping to do and exploring this very interesting city. 
Antigua is a UNISCO World Heritage Site and the original capital of the Spanish Empire. There are a great many ruins from an earthquake in the 1770's.
In the evening several of us met for dinner at La Fonda where I always have to have their traditional Guatemalan chicken soup..Caldo Real. Love it!!!
Most will be flying home the next day. As the last minute packing is going on everyone is also saying their last good byes to the street vendors and making last minute purchases. Suitcases are stuffed to the brim and in some cases new bags were bought. There are some very tired peeps.
We get to Antigua in time to get checked into the hotel and off to have lunch at Frieda's Cafe for nachos and margaritas.
Antigua is a UNISCO World Heritage Site and the original capital of the Spanish Empire. There are a great many ruins from an earthquake in the 1770's.
In the evening several of us met for dinner at La Fonda where I always have to have their traditional Guatemalan chicken soup..Caldo Real. Love it!!!
Free Day
Friday was a free day. There were several options...hiking...cooking class...zip lining. A good many of us did the hike which was advertised as an easy down hill hike.
I wouldn't quite go that far. We rode in the back of a couple of pickups to the top to start our hike. It was a bit strenuous and we had several falls but everyone made it down the mountain to San Antonio Palopo. We visited the pottery shop and made our share of purchases.
Then into pickups again to Santa Catarina for lunch at a lovely hotel. It was a beautiful setting and good food.
We made several traditional dishes...Chuchitos, Chrimol, Guacamole, Tortillas,and Rosa de Jamaica... and then got to enjoy our handy work.
There were those brave souls that went zip lining and as soon as I have pics I will share them. It sounded like they had a blast.
That evening MF had a farewell party at the main offices but before that started many of the families that had students sponsored came in to receive the gifts their generous sponsors purchased for them...food...traditional clothing...beds...and other gifts.
Then the presentations began. MF honored our youngest member who raised over $1000 for the trip to be used for their families they sponsored. Grace is only 12 and out did us all ...with the help of her mothers baking skills.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Thursday...a fun day
On Thur. those who wanted or felt well enough went to Chichi for a day of shopping in their world famous market. It is a place with so much color it is overwhelming. Lucia, one of my favorite street vendors went with us and was our guide. Lucia was born in Chichi but now lives in Pana.Some stayed at the hotel to tend to a couple that were not feeling well. And four went with Michael, a MF volunteer, and did a construction project. When I get some pics of that I will add them. 
We first went to their very colorful cemetery which resulted in us having to hike back up a very steep street. UGH!! Some of us were huffing and puffing by the time we got back up to the market area.
We went in the min church and when I saw Ann lighting a candle it was such a great picture that I took one before I remembered your not suppose to take pics in the church...OOOPS! The quickly reminded me.
Then once again there was a great boost to the economy in Chichi.
The boys and Jessica spent the day elping Michael and Carlos in the wood shop. It looks like they had a great time.
In the evening we had a dinner at me Casa.
There was great food and a wonderful camaraderie that comes from a shared experience. We realize how blessed our lives our when we view true poverty and see that even with so very little these people still have joy in their hearts. Who are we to complain about anything.
We first went to their very colorful cemetery which resulted in us having to hike back up a very steep street. UGH!! Some of us were huffing and puffing by the time we got back up to the market area.
We went in the min church and when I saw Ann lighting a candle it was such a great picture that I took one before I remembered your not suppose to take pics in the church...OOOPS! The quickly reminded me.
The boys and Jessica spent the day elping Michael and Carlos in the wood shop. It looks like they had a great time.
In the evening we had a dinner at me Casa.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Visiting newly sponsored students
On Wed. we gathered at MF to make our trip back to El Barranco. Everyone had gone shopping the night before or ordered food from MF to take to their students. So all the supplies and people piled in a van or a pickup.
With 17 new students sponsored and 3 previously sponsored but never been visited, who's sponsors are on this trip, we had a full day ahead of us. This was an especially hard day for me. I have been to every home visit of students sponsored through my groups and with 20 new students there was no way that could happen. We had to split into 4 groups.
This is always an emotional day for everyone. Seeing how these beautiful children who always look so happy really live is a real eye opener. Homes without electricity, beds with boards where a mattress should be, no bed at all, only a grass mat on a dirt or concrete floor. Even those that have electricity it is just a light bulb in the middle of the room. Some have a toilet and some go in the fields or use a neighbors. And the ones who do have the luxury of a toilet it is one you would never want to use.
The first home we went to it turned out that the mother has been very ill and in bed for two yrs. The doctors told her she had a liver problem but not any details and of course they can't afford the medication. She sleeps in a borrowed bed because they have no mattresses. Had we not visited we would probably have never know about her. Now hopefully we can get her some medical care.
One of the things I love about El Barranco is that the dads seem very involved with their children. In a country ravaged by a civil war for over 30 yrs. and the resulting destruction of the family unit this is such a lovely site to see.
Most of the sponsors were given gifts from their families which is so touching. These are usually items they have made to sell so they can buy food and yet they want to give back to those helping their children have a better life.
Another home we went to the family had built a nice concrete block home for themselves but now were in a land dispute with the husbands brothers. They now have several thousands of dollars in debt to pay lawyers fees. We are certainly going to have to do some serious fund raising when we get back.
We had planned to install 4 Onil stoves on this visit but it turned out that a previous mission group installed so many stoves in El Barranco that none needed a stove. In it's place we are buying beds for the families most in need.
When we finished our home visits we gathered at the El barranco preschool for sandwiches. There would have been more cheese sandwiches but a very sneaky dog snatched the cheese off the table. Bless Gloria, who with her husband are the MF managers, because she made eggs for us to make sandwiches with. This was around 3:00 so we were ver hungry.
Everyone went back to their hotel with some very mixed emotions of deciding what they could do to help their sponsored students. There is so much need but first and foremost is food and clean water. The things you and I take for granted.
All in all, roller coaster emotions aside, it was a very rewarding day.
With 17 new students sponsored and 3 previously sponsored but never been visited, who's sponsors are on this trip, we had a full day ahead of us. This was an especially hard day for me. I have been to every home visit of students sponsored through my groups and with 20 new students there was no way that could happen. We had to split into 4 groups.
This is always an emotional day for everyone. Seeing how these beautiful children who always look so happy really live is a real eye opener. Homes without electricity, beds with boards where a mattress should be, no bed at all, only a grass mat on a dirt or concrete floor. Even those that have electricity it is just a light bulb in the middle of the room. Some have a toilet and some go in the fields or use a neighbors. And the ones who do have the luxury of a toilet it is one you would never want to use.
The first home we went to it turned out that the mother has been very ill and in bed for two yrs. The doctors told her she had a liver problem but not any details and of course they can't afford the medication. She sleeps in a borrowed bed because they have no mattresses. Had we not visited we would probably have never know about her. Now hopefully we can get her some medical care.
One of the things I love about El Barranco is that the dads seem very involved with their children. In a country ravaged by a civil war for over 30 yrs. and the resulting destruction of the family unit this is such a lovely site to see.
Most of the sponsors were given gifts from their families which is so touching. These are usually items they have made to sell so they can buy food and yet they want to give back to those helping their children have a better life.
Another home we went to the family had built a nice concrete block home for themselves but now were in a land dispute with the husbands brothers. They now have several thousands of dollars in debt to pay lawyers fees. We are certainly going to have to do some serious fund raising when we get back.
When we finished our home visits we gathered at the El barranco preschool for sandwiches. There would have been more cheese sandwiches but a very sneaky dog snatched the cheese off the table. Bless Gloria, who with her husband are the MF managers, because she made eggs for us to make sandwiches with. This was around 3:00 so we were ver hungry.
Everyone went back to their hotel with some very mixed emotions of deciding what they could do to help their sponsored students. There is so much need but first and foremost is food and clean water. The things you and I take for granted.
All in all, roller coaster emotions aside, it was a very rewarding day.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
trip across the lake
On Tues..I'm a little behind on blogging...we met in front of the hotel for our 2 min. van ride to get our hired bout across the lake. With such a large group we went with a double decker. It was so much fun except some of us got a bit more sun than we planned on.
We went to San Juan where there are artist and weavers co-ops. We visited Maximon the Mayan God. There was a demonstration of how the cotton is prepared for spinning into thread to use in the weavings. They showed us what plants are used to make each color. Needless to say there was a lot of shopping going on.
After doing a considerable boost to the economy in San Juan we returned back to the boat and headed for Santa Cruz for lunch. The Iguana Restaurant had a wonderful buffet set up for us and we emptied the buffet table.
On the return trip to Pana there was a little napping going on
on the boat but once we got to the dock everyone was ready to go. There was a bit of shenanigans on the return trip.
Several wanted to place orders for food and other needed items for the families they sponsor. Some staid at MF to help distribute the Valentine food baskets.
Others were anxious to find the best deals on jewelry to buy so they could bring it back as gifts and in order to raise more money for use with MF. I led them up the street and introduced them to my favorite venders and we then ended up at my place for drinks and snacks.
Some of us then proceeded to rest up for the busy day ahead of us.
We went to San Juan where there are artist and weavers co-ops. We visited Maximon the Mayan God. There was a demonstration of how the cotton is prepared for spinning into thread to use in the weavings. They showed us what plants are used to make each color. Needless to say there was a lot of shopping going on.
After doing a considerable boost to the economy in San Juan we returned back to the boat and headed for Santa Cruz for lunch. The Iguana Restaurant had a wonderful buffet set up for us and we emptied the buffet table.
On the return trip to Pana there was a little napping going on
on the boat but once we got to the dock everyone was ready to go. There was a bit of shenanigans on the return trip.
Several wanted to place orders for food and other needed items for the families they sponsor. Some staid at MF to help distribute the Valentine food baskets.
Others were anxious to find the best deals on jewelry to buy so they could bring it back as gifts and in order to raise more money for use with MF. I led them up the street and introduced them to my favorite venders and we then ended up at my place for drinks and snacks.
Some of us then proceeded to rest up for the busy day ahead of us.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
First trip to El Barranco
Yesterday was long, exhausting and most rewarding. We started out at 7:30 sorting the donations everyone brought...and boy did they bring donations. 
We then jumped into our transport of choice. Some in the van and some of us in the back of the pick up.
On our way to El Barranco we stopped off at Tierra Linda to visit the preschool and for Debbie to visit one of her students. Debbie also brought balloons for the kids.
We also went to see a house that another group built for a family who's house was about to fall down. It turned out that the elderly man living there had an injured foot so we had Michelle...an OBGYN..look at his foot. We decided it was within 4 ft of her specialty so it worked for us.
Back into the vehicles and off to El Barranco. It was the first time I had arrived w/o the yard full of people. But never fear they all showed up within the hour. We had a light lunch and visited the kids in the preschool while we waited.
Brian got to meet his sponsored student,Elvis. Elvis is alive and in the house.
Once everyone arrived...we had to wait for the kids to get out of school...The children did their traditional dancing. Always a winner.
One of the dances is the monkey dance and audience participation is encouraged.
We then handed out our donations...these kids run to get in line to receive used clothing and shoes. This means so much to them.
During all of this chaos most of the group found children they wanted to sponsor in school. We broke our own record and sponsored 17 children. I don't have what it takes to describe how excited these children and families are to have the opportunity to go to school and get what we take for granted...an education.
Before it was all over we were exhausted and ready for dinner and drinks. This makes for a very long day but everyone enjoyed their encounter with these wonderful people.
We then jumped into our transport of choice. Some in the van and some of us in the back of the pick up.
On our way to El Barranco we stopped off at Tierra Linda to visit the preschool and for Debbie to visit one of her students. Debbie also brought balloons for the kids.
We also went to see a house that another group built for a family who's house was about to fall down. It turned out that the elderly man living there had an injured foot so we had Michelle...an OBGYN..look at his foot. We decided it was within 4 ft of her specialty so it worked for us.
Back into the vehicles and off to El Barranco. It was the first time I had arrived w/o the yard full of people. But never fear they all showed up within the hour. We had a light lunch and visited the kids in the preschool while we waited.
Brian got to meet his sponsored student,Elvis. Elvis is alive and in the house.
Once everyone arrived...we had to wait for the kids to get out of school...The children did their traditional dancing. Always a winner.
We then handed out our donations...these kids run to get in line to receive used clothing and shoes. This means so much to them.
During all of this chaos most of the group found children they wanted to sponsor in school. We broke our own record and sponsored 17 children. I don't have what it takes to describe how excited these children and families are to have the opportunity to go to school and get what we take for granted...an education.
Before it was all over we were exhausted and ready for dinner and drinks. This makes for a very long day but everyone enjoyed their encounter with these wonderful people.
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