Guatemala Mission Trip 2024: Update #6

We started the day with a morning hike of Mount Mirador. Fredy, Chico and Efrain led us to the top and the views were incredible. We were inspired to see the locals climbing up the steep mountain to farm the crops. 

By 10 AM, we were back to building stoves. Our houses were close to the lake and to a local park so we took the children to a dilapidated playground that had extremely rusty, run down equipment and was surrounded by a metal chain link fence. There was one blacktop court that had both basketball hoops and soccer nets. The children ran around and had so much fun. They are all so beautiful and warm and loving; it was pure joy to be around them. 

After we built two more stoves, we returned to Dreams and Hopes Youth Center.  Every day we were greeted with big hugs from our favorite girl, Freddy’s daughter Rosalyn who was the most gregarious adorable 7 year old we have ever met. 

We were served another delicious handcrafted homemade lunch. We would laugh because most of us don’t drink Coke at home, but after a morning of hard work in the hot sun, a Coca Cola has never been so refreshing!

We had a beautiful Ceremony/send off. The stove recipients came for an ice cream social and we were all able to express our appreciation and thankfulness to one another. It was emotional and heartwarming, and we concluded the day with some group photos. 

We returned to the hotel to shower and get ready for our final evening. Before dinner, there was a chocolate tour where we learned about the different ways of making chocolate from cocao beans. We sampled chocolate bars, chocolate, tea, chocolate, liqueurs, lotions, soaps, even chocolate chapstick! 

We enjoyed the final dinner at Fredy’s restaurant. Pastor Robb served communion, and we had an opportunity to debrief on the week.  It was wonderful to get to know everyone in this group and bond over our shared experience in San Juan La Laguna.