With our mission work over, the team arose early in Barillas on Friday for a 5 a.m. departure for beautiful Lake Atitlan, where we arrived around 5:30 p.m.
On Saturday most of the team risked the local “extremos” zip line, featuring runs stretching as long as 2,800 feet across the cliffs way above the lake, and stunning scenery while we zipped. Others enjoyed the nature trail at the Lake Atitlan Nature Preserve.
We also visited the butterfly cage, with Karyn winning our now annual butterfly photography contest (thanks to Jeff and Kelly Hager for judging!).
Around noon we boarded a boat for Santiago, delayed only by a few scary moments in the middle of the lake while our motorman fixed the stalled engine.
The team enjoyed shopping and lunch in Santiago then we returned and left mid-afternoon for Antigua, one of the major tourist cities of Guatemala. Our Sunday was spent touring, including a stop at a jade museum, then shopping and more sightseeing. That night Marco, Steve Drury and I passed out recognition plaques to the first-time team members following a delightful meal and toast to our mission team’s success.
We enjoyed a final breakfast at our hotel this morning (Sunday) before making the three-hour trip (through heavy traffic) back to Guatemala City, where we said our sad so-longs to Marco and Alex, our wonderful Hands for Peacemaking hosts and guides.
As I write this we are in Atlanta, where our flight home was delayed a couple of hours, due to arrive at SeaTac at 1:12 a.m. Delta is having a lot of fun with us tonight – so far they have changed our departure gates four times! I think most of us will sleep in tomorrow!
While we were being tourists, the Hands for Peacemaking crew was back in the La Capilla wrapping up our stove work. (They had about 13 more to install). Now every family has a stove!
Thanks for following along, we really appreciate your prayers and all of our support for the team and the people of LaCapilla.
With warm regards,
Brian
Great photos, looks like everyone enjoyed their “tourist” day! Congratulations for all accomplished on this trip.
Your the best. 🥇🏆
Thanks Diane. Due to an airline reschedule we actually had TWO tourist days this year – one in Panajachel and the other in Antigua. Bonus! We all arrived safely home in the middle of the night this a.m.
Let us k ow how to donate to support the next trip
Thank you Lucy. To support the next Marine View team you can donate at https://marineviewchurch.breezechms.com/give/online.
To support Hands for Peacemaking, which coordinates several mission trips a year through churches and Rotary Clubs, you can donate at https://www.handsforpeacemaking.org
We really appreciate your support!