Guatemala Team Reports

As Alaska Air flight 1354 ascended into the blackness from Guatemala City around 1:30 a.m. Monday with 10 of our 12 team members aboard, we could reflect on the brightness we had left behind on the neighboring villages of Puente Alto and San Agustin.

I was particularly struck by the emotions of the principal of Puente Alto, a friendly man who commutes the hour or so each way by rugged dirt bike over some pretty sketchy roads all the way from Barillas. He boarded our bus to thank us, and couldn’t help shedding a few tears as he did so. Perhaps the boxes of textbooks we left behind, along with the school supplies for the kids, were especially meaningful to him.

After an all-nighter at airports and on airplanes, most of us were home by mid-day, except for sisters Betsy and Nancy who went on to Spokane and brothers-in-law Mike and Steve who stayed in Guatemala for a few more days of sightseeing. By the way, if you are ever fortunate enough to join us on one of these mission trips extending your time in the country is not a bad plan. As Marco says, “you might as well enjoy our country while you are down here.”

Marco, Alex and driver Diego dropped us off at the airport around 9 p.m. Sunday then high-tailed it back to Barillas, pausing in Huehuetenango around 3:30 a.m. to rest a bit before continuing on to arrive by mid-morning. Those who have been know what a drive that is, especially at night over an 11,000-foot pass, but they felt compelled to get back so they could prepare for the next team arriving on Friday. We had spent our final day, Sunday, touring Antigua, the historical capital of Guatemala before having a fancy dinner out during which Marco and Alex presented new team members with plaques of appreciation and returning team members with personalized coffee mugs.

Saturday had been another “play day” for our team, with Curt, Mike and Steve ripping across canyons on a zip line while the rest of us strolled around Panajachel on Lake Atitlan, a huge lake formed by a massive caldera with three large volcanos rising up from its shores (think Oregon’s Crater Lake only more than twice its size). Then we all boarded a charted boat and crossed over to the town of San Pedro La Laguna for shopping and lunch. Our crossing was a bit turbulent that early afternoon and those who chose seats on the port side arrived drenched by wave action.

This morning I asked the team via our group chat on WhatsApp if they could send me words of reflection on their time in Guatemala. Here are the responses received from sisters Lynn Cruz and Lola Cohen, Nancy Voorhees, Tom Dirks and Curtis Stahlecker. (If any other team members wish to add their thoughts please do so in the comment section).

Lynn:

I came home again with so much appreciation for what I have and the desire to continue to help improve the lives of the Guatemalan villagers. And, the sheer amazement that despite everything those children are the happiest, kindest most loving kids I’ve ever met. Great trip!

Lola:

First of all,  I’m proud and happy to have volunteered with an organization that truly makes a difference in changing lives. The stoves and water filters  have an almost immediate impact on the long term  health and well-being of the Guatemalan villagers. And, as a volunteer it was so gratifying to see first hand the results of our efforts.

Mostly though, I’ll never forget the beautiful, kind, loving and resilient people of Guatamala. Our many interactions with them, especially the children, were the highlight of my trip and motivation to continue to help people who, in the big picture, need so little from those of us who have so much, to help lift them out of poverty.

And of course I’m so grateful for the fantastic staff of Hands for Peacekeeping on the ground in Guatamala, they make a difference every day. The efforts of the staff and our group leaders made our trip as smooth and enjoyable in every way possible. Lastly, I’ll  always cherish the love, laughter new friends and great  memories and look forward to continue being a part of Hands for Peacekeeping’s efforts to change lives.

Nancy:

This was my second trip to Guatemala with the Marine View team and once again I was struck by the joy of the villagers amidst such poverty and living conditions void of some of the most basic necessities, such as clean running water, electricity, and hygienic areas for toilet needs.  They seem to be so content with their simple lives, but there was no denying how thankful they were for their new stoves and water filters.  Some were even moved to tears. The children, too, were overjoyed to receive simple things from us, such as small stickers, rubber-band powered paper butterflies, and a few new articles of clothing. Praying for each family was so meaningful and I was really touched by some of their prayer requests for us.  One man asked for prayer for his three sons living in the United States, only one of whom is here legally. While praying for them, the families would often also be simultaneously praying for us in their native Mayan language, which was a very powerful, spirit-filled experience. I will never forget the smiles, hugs, and love we were blessed to receive from the villagers. It was so hard to say goodbye, but I will carry the memories of them in my heart forever…

Tom

I went to Guatemala thinking I would build stoves and left Guatemala with some amazing memories and great new friends.

Curtis

I feel very thankful to have been able to participate. It was an incredibly humbling and rewarding experience to be able to make an enormous change in the quality of life for these families simply by giving a small amount of time and money.  As their lives have been improved by what we have provided them, my life has been changed and enlarged by the joy and gratitude the families gave back to me.

Our impact on the villages will be certainly be remembered every time the villagers light a fire or drink clean water from the filters in each home. We have already purchased and distributed the school books for each village, as mentioned. And there will be more, thanks to you. Our donors overwhelmed us with enough funds so that in the next few weeks the village of Alto Puente will receive two large stoves for the school, purchase and install a 2,500 liter water tank, purchase six-inch pipe for a school yard drainage system, buy a new corrugated tin roof for the school and Bibles for each family. If funds allow and the village wishes, we may also buy enough cement so that they can build a set of stairs to replace the hazardous and steep dirt trails along the hill to their upper school building.

For the village of San Agustin we will buy one large stove for its school, repair broken school desks, buy a teacher desk, a white board and a solar panel/battery/accessories.

In addition, one donor’s generosity allowed us to make a hefty donation toward a new truck for Hands for Peacemaking, badly needed as the rugged roads throughout the region are simply hard on vehicles. We were also blessed with another large donation that went to stoves and filters. For the first time this year we received a sizable amount of our funds through a corporate matching program, which of course went to good use. We still have some opportunity there – if anyone wishes to have their donation doubled so we can do even more for these villages please get in touch!

A number of team members have said they are eager to return next year. If you would like to come along, shoot me an email. We will likely go in April again.

I’ve added a few of the hundreds of photos and videos taken by team and staff and shared with each other over WhatsApp. If you would like to see more you may click on this link. (Please excuse the duplicates – so many photos, so little time to edit).

I thank you again for following along our journey!

With blessings,

Brian