Villages of Guatemala- Part I

When we were in Guatemala, we were able to travel to four villages that are part of CFCA’s 65 subprojects. There are over 81,000 children sponsored through CFCA in Guatemala alone, so we only met a small number of the families. One of the couples in our group has traveled to Guatemala four times and visited sixteen completely different projects! The residents of the villages consider it a great honor to host sponsors, but due to the number of subprojects, do not get the opportunity very often!  

Our first village visit was on Sunday as we traveled from Guatemala City to our main location in San Lucas Toliman on Lake Atitlan.

As our bus pulled up, we were met with crowds of people, firecrackers, shouts from the young boys, and more hugs than I can count!

It was hard to believe they were so excited to see US- we came to see them! They welcomed us with signs, confetti, parades, pine needle carpets, costumes and bands. Day after day we were treated like celebrities at the villages- everyone wanted pictures with us, were cheering for us…it was incredible, unbelievable and humbling!

(Also, while walking in the parades with the families, we quickly realized that we felt like giants! Most of our group towered over the locals.)

At each village we would be able to listen to families who have been helped by CFCA’s programs. The kids would dance (or read a poem or perform a song) for us, and then they would come grab us and we would join them. Yes, even I (Bethany) found myself on the dance floor multiple times. Unbelievable, I know!

In this particular village, a few of the moms got up to show us items they have been working hard on- soap and the wall hangings you can see in some of the pictures.

The project would treat us to a local meal—we ate a lot of chicken, tortillas, cooked vegetables, and rice throughout the week! Afterwards, we had some time to visit with the local residents, which for most of us non-Spanish speakers meant pointing to our cameras, saying “foto?” and the kids responding ecstatically with “Si! Si!”

                                                  

A local boy and his cow, likely purchased by CFCA and/or his sponsor to help supply his family with beef/milk

Until next time…

We're Home!

Lydia and I have had an amazing trip to Guatemala. I am sitting in Houston for a layover so I thought I'd pop in and say hi! We have many stories to share but they will be shared slowly over the next few weeks. I have seven straight days of kid watching ahead...nothing like jumping right back into "real life", right?

Until I am able to sift through pictures our group has taken, here are a few from my phone. I did not have it with me most days so there are not many!



This little guy is 5 year old Jose. Lydia's church back home sponsors him and we were able to meet him as well as his mother and younger brother Bryan. Jose was shy at first but very busy!



The view of two volcanoes from our CFCA regional center, where we stayed most of the week. Sometimes the clouds would roll in (very low clouds!) and you wouldn't be able to see the volcanoes at all.



The cathedral in Guatemala City. You can kind of see the market spread all around.



The market in the square. There were so many things for sale, but the vendors were not pushing for sales here like they were in Antigua later in the week.



So many bright and colorful things for sale!



The majority of the crafts are handmade.



The view from our hotel room the last night. We traveled from the center to Guatemala City to make it easier for some in our group to get to the airport on time for their 6am flights back to the States.

Much, much more to come (after a good sleep!)

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Well we got to meet all three of the kids we sponsor and some of their families today! It was really cool to finaly meet them.  Hilda (18) and her younger sister Monika (7)  were helping me learn some spanish by ponting to things and telling me what it was in spanish. Damaris (9) asked me to do a dance with her so we all ended up danceing to local music which was fun! Jose (5) recited a poem for us! Bethany was very happy when one of the ladies on the trip with us asked Bethany and I at breakfast who was older....not sure if that means I look like I`m in my 20`s  or if Bethany looks 17..lol.  

until next time! 

Lydia 

We Are Here!

Hola from Guatemala!

We have spotted coconut trees, coffee trees, volcanoes, been warmly welcomed with hugs and smiles from Guatemalan families, and eaten a lot of local tortillas and fruit! We haven´t slept much and have encountered the biggest potholes known to man as well as been escorted around the country by the policia. Lydia got into a bit of trouble with two of them...we also had our fortune told by some parakeets and attended church in Spanish, a new thing for Lydia!

Our group is made up of 18 people, and a great mix we are! Other than us there are 5 couples, a mother-daughter team, two single women, and a grandmother and granddaughter (who is just Lydia´s age!)...

Until next time!

ªBethany and Lydiaª

A Post by Lydia

I'm really excited about my first mission trip and to meet the kids we have been sponsoring for many years. I have been corresponding with the 18 year old girl for 6 years so it will be neat to see how she lives. I am excited to leave the USA!

~Lydia

Two Days Left!

We leave for Guatemala in less than two days! We are very excited-- it is unlikely we will post much while in Guatemala, but you never know! Please keep us in your prayers as we travel! :)

~Bethany and Lydia

Pre-Guatemala

When Lydia mentioned a trip through CFCA to meet children our family and church sponsors last summer/ fall, I was quick to jump on the idea! My last mission trip was in 2008 and I really find it helpful for my spiritual life to get a wake-up call, so to speak, via mission trips every few years! Besides, I love to travel and experience new cultures! We plan to meet three children my family is connected with- an 18 year old girl, a 9 year old girl, and a 5 year old boy. It is hard to imagine what their lives are like, so I am looking forward to seeing it in person. Mission trips are a life changing experience, and I am excited to be a part of Lydia's first one and hear her perspective on our daily interactions with the people we meet and the culture of Guatemala. 

~Bethany