Celebrating a Deparature and a Birthday

Our last day in Villa Hortencia II is one I will always remember.  It is one of those odd traits I have.  I always seem to remember departures.  The faces on the children that day were so full of emotion and they etched their way into my memory.  I found it hard to believe how much of an impact our being there had for them.  I realized that one person can make a difference.  In this case 10 team members had likely brightened the past week for close to 100 kids, if not more.  It touched me deeply to see how proudly they waved the small Canadian flags we gave them that day.  I have added some of the pictures of kids from the Village to this post and as you look at them please pray for them.  Pray that they continue to feel hope.  Pray that they find a continual strength to face the daily challenges.  Pray for their well being and health into the future.

As you read the last portion of this journal entry, note how casual I mention the eruption of Mount Pacaya.  At this point I have no idea how big of a deal this would become.

May 28, 2010

This morning we got up early and packed our suitcases.  After breakfast we went to a farewell ceremony that the elders of VH II organized for us.  I was very surprised to see how much of an effort they made.  Balloons, flowers, and music created a happy atmosphere around the Village's meager health clinic (where the ceremony was held.)  Many of the elders gave a speech, some young girls sang a touching song through nervous glances in our direction, and a young boy thanked us with a wonderful speech.  I have no doubt the young boy will someday be a leader for his people.  Upon the end of the celebration sadness fell.  Many of the women on the team cried openly and I have to admit, my heart was very heavy as we made the walk up to the house we had been staying in and loaded up the trucks.  Many of the children gathered as we tarped the trucks and you could see that they too were heavy hearted.

We drove out of the Village in the back of the Toyota truck and waved to everyone.  Before long we were admiring the scenery and focusing on what lay ahead for the next part of our journey.  We followed another road out of VH II toward Nebaj, this one led us through some different communities, including a coffee plantation.  It was, in my mind, a great example of greed gone wrong on a social and environmental level.  Poverty surrounded one large house, that which, I assume, is of the owner.  The community was gated at both entry points.  While the owner's house was immaculate and well built and manicured, the staff housing was rudimentary, granted it was still better than most communities, but less than adequate by North American standards.  To top this plantation off, it appeared as though there is a project underway to divert the river into a large canal with in line turbines in an attempt to create hydro power.  There were excavators and dams in the stream, heavily impacting water quality and flow.  This of course irked me to say the least.

Shortly before lunch, which in Guatemala is at 1:00 or 2:00, we stopped in Rio Azul for a sponsored child visit.  The visit was special to Bill as we visited his sponsored child Katerina.  Both Bill and Katerina were all smiles during the visit to this very clean and hospitable home.  Like many of the families we met, I felt this one had a strong family bond and worked well with each other.  It is great to see that even with little, they still have each other.

After checking inot the hotel in Nebaj we joined the FH Guatemala staff for a lunch at a nearby resort.  Music, gifts, and fun was the norm.  We were all presented with greatly crafted and woven shoulder bags.  It will be a great token of our time here.  After a great meal the FH staff challenged us to a game of court soccer.  Even in the rain, and even heavily out matched, we all had great fun.  It brought ACC and FH Guatemala that much closer. 

We spent the evening at Domingo and Kara's celebrating Sarah T's birthday, eating pizza, and discussing the future and various other topics.  A great last night before starting our journey back home.  Unfortunately there will be o hiking to Mount Pacaya as planned.  The volcano erupted on Thursday but despite being disappointed, I'm sure I can someday see a volcano.  Happy Birthday Sarah T.