One of the highlights of our journey so far was seeing the amazing Holy Week processional Friday night wind through the streets of the large city of Huehuetenango, where we’d stopped for the night after long day of driving after arriving in Guatemala City around 4:30 a.m.
Huehuetdenangoites lined the streets, many covered with colorful carpets of sawdust. Under Marco’s direction we walked 20 minutes to the central park area from the Hotel California just in time to see the formation of brightly lit floats depicting imagery from the Passion of Christ, each lifted to the shoulders of Catholic parishioners who had each paid for the privilege of doing so.
We had seen similar seens in some of the towns along the way as we drove by, but none as spectacular as this. The procession would go on for eight hours – we were content to see just the beginnings of it and worked out way to a front-row view amidst the thousands of people surrounding us.
In a way the nearly two-day drive to Santa Cruz Barillas, home of the Hands for Peacemaking mission house and manufacturing center, is like a procession with so many sights and sounds along the way. Our team of helpers hoisted our heavy supply bags to the roof of our bus at the airport, and we passed through rare near-traffickess streets on this Good Friday morning after first stopping at the local Denny’s for our traditional Grand Slam breakfasts and such.
Several hours later and after another tasty lunch in Huehue, our team toured the local Mayan ruins site then settled in at our usual stop, the Hotel California. It was late by then and after seeing the procession then sitting for an 8 o’clock dinner, our sleep-deprived team turned in.
Another of our traditions is a stop at the Coffee from Heaven coffee shop, a delightful establishment nestled in at about the 9,000-foot elevation with one of the grandest views you’ll find. The place happens to serve world-class coffee and chocolate drinks along with pastries and some of the best banana bread I’ve ever tasted. My brother Tom likes the place so much he claims it is what draws him back to Guatemala every year.
All along the way we marveled at the number of folks celebrating Holy Week. In one place especially, high in the Sierra Madres, a normally empty patch of land several blocks long was filled with families enjoying picnics and games. In another stretch we passed an organized bicycle ride through the mountainous terrain.
Our weather so far has been mostly clear and sunny, with temps in the 70s and 80s.
We arrived in Santa Cruz Barillas about 3:30, and after settling in at the Mission House enjoyed a terrific lunch made by Marco’s wife Mimi and assistants Rosa and Imelda.
Then we got serious – stove assembly training time. We stepped into the Aller Skills Center on our compound, where the stoves are made by center staff. Marco gave us a tour of the center then turned the training operation over to his son Alan, nearing 16, and staff leads Alex and Elvin. Everyone watched intently as they assembled one stove, then we broke into three teams to try it for ourselves. Everyone passed with flying colors.
Some of the team then ventured out with Marco to the streets of Barillas, enjoying yet another lively fair in celebration of Easter.
On Easter Sunday we rise early for Sunrise Service, then following breakfast head south to our villages, where we hope to install some of the first “real” stoves in the afternoon.
We are ready. After the many hours of driving and being together we are starting to get to know each other fairly well, and so far I am witnessing lots of laughter and good comradery. We do appreciate all of your prayers and well wishes to date. Everyone is well and eager to get started. I will post more as I can – that is if technology permits – from the village.
On behalf of our team, I wish everyone a happy and blessed Easter from afar.
Brian
It looks like you have another great team. Thanks for all the good work you’re doing! Happy Easter and may God bless each one of you. Praying you all stay safe as you touch the lives of many. And…enjoy the camaraderie and laughs along the way. A special hello to the team members I’ve worked with. Keep up the good work ! I’ll be thinking of you all!
Happy Easter to you all! What a gift to be able to see how Holy Week is celebrated in Guatemala! Safe travels out to the village today!
Happy Easter! Thank you for the updates and pictures.
I am humbled by how they celebrate holy week. It really puts us to shame. Thank you for sharing.
Since most of your previous trips have taken place later in the calendar year, what a treat to be there for Holy Week and see their celebrations first-hand. I’m sure very powerful. Happy Easter!
Wish I could have been on the bicycle ride passing through! Give my best to all the crew, and thanks so much for all you do!
I’m glad to see y’all are having fun especially during Easter. Thank you for all you do for their community.