All of the weather apps, and verified by Marco, the Hands for Peacemaking Foundation’s national director who will meet us Friday at the Guatemala City airport, tell us it’s hotter than usual in the region where we will work right now, with a forecast that it may stay that way through the time we are there.
“It has been really warm in Barillas and the villages are lower so a little bit warmer as well,” Marco wrote in a group message on Monday. The forecast is for temperatures in the high 80s and even 90s through next week, even with a 50% chance of rain starting on Sunday.
“Make sure you bring a good pair of working boots, ear plugs and raincoat,” Marco continued. I am personally hoping for weather like we’ve had in previous years, where it will rain (sometimes very hard) at night but breaks into sunshine through most of the work day. We’ve been lucky that way.
On Sunday some of the team attended Marine View Presbyterian Church, where Pastor Jessie Skiffington prayed for a successful mission while members of the congregation lay hands on us. That was helpful and appreciated. As we filed out I was overwhelmed by the number of people who stopped to wish us Godspeed on our mission ahead. It brings me great joy knowing we have so much love and support.
Over the weekend Marco sent two batches of photos his team had sent from Las Limas and El Moxon, the two villages where we will be working next week. Each village is fully engaged in the effort to deliver to each home the 110 metal and brick stoves, stove pipe, and water filters we will install. Most must be carried quite a distance. We are happy they are doing that and not us. The villagers also must sign a contract stating that they will care for their stoves and pay a small amount toward them. And while litter is fairly widespread in many Guatemala villages, mostly with plastic bottles and assorted snack food packaging from the local tiendas (stores), Hands for Peacemaking requires a clean-up effort prior to our arrival for a clean start.
Below are some of the photos and videos the staff sent to give you an idea of how much work is involved by the villagers (and HFPM staff) prior to our arrival this Sunday. In looking them over, I believe Marco is right. We will need our boots!
Hasta la vista for now,
Brian
