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| Our "First Family" in Santa Maria de Jesus |
I have been in Guatemala since February 15. We do at least one service trip a year with a remarkable organization -
From Houses to Homes. If you have never done a service trip, I highly recommend it. It is the best experience for so many reasons - and I promise that you will come back more rejuvenated than if you spent a week on the beach!
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| The family we built for this time in Ciudad Vieja |
On our first two trips - in February and May of 2010, we built homes for two different families. The construction process is always the same - on day one, you dig and pour the foundation and several rows of cinder block bricks. Each day you add 4 - 5 more rows of bricks, and then on Day 5, you install the door, window, roof, paint the inside and outside, and hand your family the keys to their new house.
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| Our "second family" from San Antonio des Aguas Calientes |
The bonds made with the families we build for, the other
volunteers, and the staff of From Houses to Homes are heartwarming,
loving and uplifting.
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| From Houses to Homes Workers and Staff |
They are so grateful - their lives are
immediately changed by our work. And in turn, they give us the
experience to feel our innate goodness. It's a win win both ways, but I always feel that we receive the best end of the bargain.
After all,
how often do we have the opportunity to have a direct positive impact on the poorest of the poor?
How often do we have the opportunity to feel like our lives have transcendent meaning?
How often do we get a glimpse at how indigenous populations live and get to peek into their culture?
Most of all, these trips are reminders to me and my family that material possessions are not what make us happy. We know lots of comfortable people who don't have the joy, easy smiles, love of community and family, and lightheartedness that this community has.
And of course, there is all the color and texture, the tapestries and architecture and the slow pace of life that get me every time.
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| A glimpse inside an open doorway yields a colorful surprise! |
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| Some of the beautiful students at Escuela Kimna'oj |
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| The church in Ciudad Vieja was built in 1534! |
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| Bath day! |
As I sit in the airport waiting for our flight home, my heart and mind are already planning our next trip back! Hasta la proxima ves mes amigos en Guatemala.
Your comments make me so happy and let me know you were here.
I read and treasure every comment and will happily answer any questions as soon as I can.
