We started out yesterday (Tuesday) on the roof, overlooking the glorious Lake Atitlan, waiting for the sun to rise. We never quite saw it; there may have been a few mountains blocking our view. Darn.
Soon, we were off to the construction site, a elementary school in a small community called San Jose. I spent my day on bucket duty, hauling the plastic containers up the hill that would soon be hauling the cement down the hill. Not only did I get some intensive cardio work, I also had the pleasure of seeing and hearing all of the wonderful faces and conversations of our own St. Wence group and the group that had joined us, the boys of St. Thomas. (WOOH!) What a beautiful bunch. We worked until noon and then headed back for lunch. After our delicious meal, our group and the MSU kids went to the Women's center to learn about Guatemalan culture. They let us try to balance a full basket on our heads, which they do every day and is HARD, we tried to carry 50 lbs. of wood on our backs, they carry 150, and we made tortillas on an open fire, as the women do daily. It was so great to be able to get snippets of the things that Guatemalans do on a daily basis.
Soon after, some of us drove 45 minutes to attend daily mass in a village called Santa Theresa. Their church was BEAUTIFUL--simply constructed with an all blue interior, stained glass windows, and open doors and windows all around. Children ran in and out freely throughout the service and crowded around the windows; they had never seen so many white people before! They we so dang cute. Some girls reached through a window and played with my hair towards the end; I'm assuming my locks are quite exotic to them.
The open-top truckride home was full of rain and singing. (We got through the entirety of Bohemian Rapspdy. I'm quite proud.) We came back to cold dinner and a birthday party! Megan, Mikayla, and a boy named Will from the MSU group all had/have birthdays this week. Nell gave the piñata a good beating.
After, we had our group time full of glorious singing from P.J. and a beautiful testimony from Jimmy. His life, an incredible journey of faith and struggle taught us all the value of love and hope for happiness.
This week has been everything. Fun, frustrating, rewarding, inspiring, hard, relaxing, faithful. AND IT'S NOT EVEN OVER! All y'all back home: we love you. We are all excited to see you and share everything we have learned about Guatemala.
Don't miss me too much!!!!
Emily
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