Water Filter Distribution (Day 2 and 3)

On the second day of our trip we slept in just a bit then went to Burger King for breakfast (lots of fast food of this trip.  It's the safest when outside of the tourist hot-spots.  BK, McD's, Pollo Campero).

We left HueHue ( pronounced "way way" ) and headed through more mountains to the town of Nebaj.

How little we are!

All throughout the mountains, they are farming by hand.

More beautiful Guatemalan skies!

It was a tight squeeze down the alley to get to the center.
Nancy was a pro at backing the truck up.

One of three Compassion centers serving Nebaj. 

 

A news crew came to film the distribution.

Typical dress of this area of Guatemala.

Even the hotel had the typical red cloth.

Heading Home

We passed through a few towns that I've wanted to visit.
I'll have to head back this way sometime next year.
 

Water Filter Distribution (Day 1)

This past week I had an amazing opportunity.  Here in Antigua I've been attending a church called Iglesia del Camino.  It's a bilingual church- everything from the sermon, the songs, the announcements, the bulletins... are in English and Spanish.

A couple of months ago, they were asked by the organization Compassion UK to help distribute 1,000 water filters throughout Guatemala.  The church asked for volunteers and I signed up.  They split the volunteers into four different groups and I was assigned to the fourth and final trip.  Thankfully I was able to take those days off work.

This past Monday we traveled about 6 hours away to north-western Guatemala, up towards the Mexican border.  It was a three-day trip and we delivered over 300 water filters to Compassion families.  (some pictures by me, some by others in the group)

Our trucks and the group

Passing through Market Day in a small town

The first project we visited was near the city of Huehuetenango.
We met the district supervisor here and he lead us to Suculque.  This was a little village an hour drive up the mountain, with very narrow dirt roads.

 

An adobe house

 

Coming up to the center.

Unloading the buckets.
Each family that received a water filter
also got 2 buckets.

 

First the pastor spoke to the families.
Then our pastor demonstrated the filters.

The families received clean water to drink
and heard about Jesus, the Living Water.

Setting up the rooms

 

The little boy in red (waving at the camera)'s name was Erlin.
He wasn't quite sure how to take it when I told him his name
was very close to mine :) 

Mas Aventuras en Guate

We went to visit this church just outside of town.  It was closed unfortunately.  We had stopped to take some pictures anyway when Azucena dropped her camera case through the fence! 
It was decided that I would fit through the fence and should go in to retrieve it.  I made it out just before the guard dog showed up, though I think he was stirred by another dog on the street and not my presence on his property.



It was a beautiful church!



Climbing in

Got it!

Made it out

Peter Pan

Two weeks ago the Preschool and Elementary classes went to see the play "Peter Pan". 
Getting there was a mess!  We got to the theater at 9:10 for what we thought was a 9am show.  We were then told that it didn't start until 10, so we sat all the students down for a long wait. 
But THEN we found out they had changed the theater!  The buses were called back, the students loaded a second time, and my tour of downtown Guatemala City continued. 
Once we got there the play was half over, but they very kindly performed a second time for us.  It was interactive and the students enjoyed it!

Sunday morning brunch at Y Tu Piña.

Macadamia Farm

 

Macadamia pancakes with macadamia butter

Macadamia trees and the volcano, of course!

 

cool tree stump!

Volunteering again, some pictures by Azucena

This time we were asked to help walk the dogs.  We only lost one.  I have a feeling they may let us stay with the cats
next time :)

Lunch and coffee in San Lucas afterwards

Watching "Wheel of Fortune" in Guatemala.

Spa Day!!  May 1st is Worker's Day (Labor Day) in Guatemala.  Wednesday's they have a free shuttle to the spa, and when else will I have a Wednesday off school?  We had no choice...

My ESL (English as a Second Language) class. 
I have to brag on them just a little:  They are the BEST behaved ESL class in the school!  They are 2nd - 4th graders, with two 5th graders who joined during the year.  They have the highest English in their grade levels.  They are great!  And a goofy bunch!

 

Another pretty volcano sighting



















The rainy season has started.  I may take this back in a few months, but I love it!  It's cleaning the dusty streets still dirty from Semana Santa, and there's nothing better than sleeping with the sound of rain.

Lunch with friends.  Mango, pineapple, raspberries!, avocado... bread, and roses from the market.