Guatemala Day 3

This morning I got up at 4:30 am, our van left at 5:30 am.  We left Guatemala City and drove two and a half hours to the compound that Anthony van Engen is at.  Since Guatemala City had so much traffic, we took a “short cut” up and over a small-ish mountain/large hill – a very scenic route, though also very bumpy.  After getting back on the main road, we stopped for breakfast at, of all places, McDonalds.  It was amazing – they have full meals you can get here.   After breakfast, and back on the road, we got to see several different volcanoes, two of which were active – one of the active ones was a water volcano though.  They were the first active volcanoes I have seen in person, so it was pretty cool!

Upon arriving at Anthony’s place, we got out, used the washroom and sat for a short bit.  Then he took us to a small school about a half an hour away.  The drive there was also very scenic, with mountains in the background and driving through sugar cane fields. 

The school was mostly younger kids, however the parents were there to.  We did a very similar ‘presentation’ as yesterday except for a few things.  We didn’t do the “Sin Chair” skit, in stead we did the “Lifehouse” Skit. 

After the skits and everything we also added a, uh… I don’t’ know what to call it except the ‘color ball’ thing.  It’s a ball with five different colors on it: yellow, black, red, white and green.   Five of us volunteered to talk about each of the colors then, in that order.  Yellow is the life and love of God; Black is the sin and broken nature of humans; Red is Jesus’ blood and sacrifice; White is new life and God’s plan for us; and Green is the growth in our spiritual walk.  I explained White this time.  

After our presentation, a few of us served the kids lunch, and the rest of us ‘mingled’ with the kids.  I joined in with passing a soccer ball around with some of the older boys.  This is where I think the true ‘help’ is.  I know that the presentations, stories, and skits are very meaningful to the kids and parents, but I feel as though we are just doing routine, without as much meaning and heart in it as we could.  Interacting with the kids, playing with them, talking, hugging, and being with them, even though it is harder – at least for me, I feel is more meaningful, more helpful, and more in-tuned with building relationships with them.

After some time of playing with the kids, we took off and went and delivered one of the picnic tables to someone.  (Anthony helps teach kids in his woodworking to build picnic tables so they can give them to families – they’ve done over 200 already).  Then we headed back to the Compound that Anthony lives at.   We then ate lunch that Ruth packed us. I have to admit, the coffee wasn’t to bad, especially since I am not a coffee person.   We then played some basket ball, just taking turns shooting (if you missed, you had to do a pushup).  Then Anthony and his team showed us around the place; his woodshop; the ‘foster-like’ home (with 20 kids) – it was amazing.  

On the way home we stopped for gas, bathroom break and ice cream. We then came home to a wonderful meal made by Ruth (a good cook)!

The Compound where Anthony lives:

A Mango Tree at the Compound. They also had almond trees, avocado trees, banana trees and many other types. 

Bryan keeping to the tradition of the culture and taking a siesta

We have been blessed to ride around in a nice (luxury) van, with full AC and more than a foot of extra head room! Today's actual temperature was 80-90*F (25-30*C) plus a hot beaming sun.

Mountains in the distance. 

Us playing Basketball after lunch. You can see Amanda doing a pushup on the far left after having just missed a shot - we all spent a lot of time doing pushups. 

A sign out side of Anthony's place.

One of the active volcanoes.

A kid who got to be David in the David & Goliath lesson getting ready to use his 'sling' to knock me down (I was Goliath).

The moms and younger kids at the school

Sierra and Ariel playing jump rope with the kids

A cemetery: they are very colorful. Actually, we were on our way back to the compound when we passed by this, and we had to stop for a bit because there was a funeral procession crossing the road.  I find it interesting how they build a box for the dead instead of burring them.

The family where we dropped off the picnic table

The place where we dropped off the picnic table, the family had a little parrot and Oto got it to come into his hand...

...and Sierra...

...and the family had a turkey.

More Pictures from throughout the day:

5:00 am...

Mountain Driving.

Rosalie and Brooke doing Jump Rope.

Anthony talking to the kids.

Oto introducing our team.

Kids...

More David and Goliath. 

Lifehouse Skit.

Oto translating Brooke.

More kids.

Amanda with one of the kids. (Anthony is in the background)

Sierra & Ariel doing limbo/jump rope.

Ariel giving hugs.

The road that took us to the school.

Delivering a picnic table.

A funeral procession.