Week 4
¡Buenas dias!
We're sorry we're so bad at this updating thing. This week consisted mostly of our time at Lake Atitlan on our team "excursion" aka team vacation, and just a time for us to take a break and relax. Get ready for lots of pictures!
We're sorry we're so bad at this updating thing. This week consisted mostly of our time at Lake Atitlan on our team "excursion" aka team vacation, and just a time for us to take a break and relax. Get ready for lots of pictures!
Day 1
We left between 6-7 AM, and we were able to bless the house parents from the baby house (and their family) by bringing them with us. On the way to Lake Atitlan, we stopped at this lookout point that had a small market-like area and a great view of the lake.
We left between 6-7 AM, and we were able to bless the house parents from the baby house (and their family) by bringing them with us. On the way to Lake Atitlan, we stopped at this lookout point that had a small market-like area and a great view of the lake.
Before actually heading to our hotel, most of us got to go zip-lining! Such a cool and fun experience, and there were beautiful views and we even saw some monkeys! There were eight different lines and we all had a great time.
After zip-lining, we had a lunch at a ridiculously slow restaurant, where we were bombarded by women and children asking us if we wanted to buy bracelets, scarfs, headbands, etc. If you show the slightest bit of interest in whatever they're trying to sell, they attack you like a hungry pack of wolves and do not leave you alone. The phrase "personal space" does not exist in their book. When we finally finished lunch, we took a boat (that felt like it was on the verge of sinking) across the lake to our hotel.
Once we got to our hotel, we discovered that there were quite a number of steps that we had to take before we'd actually be at our hotel. Definitely a workout, but the view was worth it. Once we were all settled into our rooms, we had a late dinner and just enjoyed the view and each other's company with a few games of cards, of course.
Day 2
The next morning, a few people got up pretty early to go kayaking and then most of us were up by 9 AM or so, and had the free continental breakfast that was provided by the hotel. Shortly after breakfast, several people took another boat ride across the lake to Santiago, another village/pueblo, while a few other people walked to pueblo that was closer to the hotel. Others stayed behind at the hotel and just relax and even lay out by the pool. It was a beautiful day.
The next morning, a few people got up pretty early to go kayaking and then most of us were up by 9 AM or so, and had the free continental breakfast that was provided by the hotel. Shortly after breakfast, several people took another boat ride across the lake to Santiago, another village/pueblo, while a few other people walked to pueblo that was closer to the hotel. Others stayed behind at the hotel and just relax and even lay out by the pool. It was a beautiful day.
Overall, it was just a peaceful and restful time. After dinner, we spent the rest of the night freaking out over the fact that we could see the moon, stars, a lightning storm (in the distance), and were absolutely convinced that the volcano (Fuego Volcano) near where the lightning storm was going on, was erupting. There was a time of constant picture taking, as well as laughing at who knows what because everyone was saying weird and funny things. We even played "What If" and "Telephone Pictionary", and there were even more laughs. It was a great way to end our last night at the hotel.
Day 3
The next morning, we all had breakfast, got another boat and went to Chichicastenago to visit the local market there, as well as a ministry that Darby's church helps run, and it was the first place she went to when she came to Guatemala. They make thousands of school shoes and give them out to all the children who need them, build houses for widows, feed approximately 2,000 children a week, and provide a safe place for the local children to come and play on the playground or basketball court every Thursday. Our time in Chichi was a neat experience because we got to see a different side of Guatemala. While there seemed to be a lot more poverty there, all the people we walked by still seemed to be so friendly. On the way back to the orphanage, most of us grabbed dinner at Burger King and we made it back by 9 PM.
The next morning, we all had breakfast, got another boat and went to Chichicastenago to visit the local market there, as well as a ministry that Darby's church helps run, and it was the first place she went to when she came to Guatemala. They make thousands of school shoes and give them out to all the children who need them, build houses for widows, feed approximately 2,000 children a week, and provide a safe place for the local children to come and play on the playground or basketball court every Thursday. Our time in Chichi was a neat experience because we got to see a different side of Guatemala. While there seemed to be a lot more poverty there, all the people we walked by still seemed to be so friendly. On the way back to the orphanage, most of us grabbed dinner at Burger King and we made it back by 9 PM.
It was a great and much needed time away, but it's definitely good to be back. The orphanage has started to feel like home for a lot of us (except for when we're feeling sick), and we also always miss our kids whenever we're away. The rest of our week finished out as most of them have. But a "special" treat would be that the group that was off this weekend finally got to go off campus (even thought we just had our vacation) and go to Wal-Mart/the mall/Starbucks area. Those who were off were definitely excited about the Starbucks part. As Taylor says, "Thank you globalization."
Our prayer requests remain the same as they have been in past weeks, but definitely health! Thanks for everyone's love, support and encouragement!
Our prayer requests remain the same as they have been in past weeks, but definitely health! Thanks for everyone's love, support and encouragement!
*Pictures by Ellie, Sarah, and Taylor