San Antonio Nueva Esperanza

We arrived in this morning on a small 6-seater Cessna, touching down on the 400-yard dirt airstrip, one of the shortest in Guatemala. Ludine, the pilot, started flying the year I was born (1976).  He's been flying for Mission Aviation Fellowship since 1982, and he is amazing.  Carving between clouds and mountaintops, we watched valley after valley with patchwork fields climbing impossible hillsides, then saw this small village appear with a miniscule strip of dirt for landing.  

 

Greg and Helaine Walton have been here for 9 years, building and leading a school for refugees who arrived after the war.  We'll post pictures later, because the connection is slow.  But we're here safe and sound, and it is incredible.

On Top Of The World

Six months ago, we had talked late one night about "what's next" for us, and I had floated this crazy dream with Danaya. The following Thursday morning, I dropped into Stan's office, and said "I've got a crazy idea". After I explained it, he told me that Sharon had called thirty minutes earlier, saying that Tierra Linda would love computers and a teacher for a few months. Four days later, we were a go. Soon after, we had a website up. Two months later, we were on a plane to Guatemala.

Six months later, we are on top of the world, amazed at how the impassable doors have opened, one by one, step by step, against all odds. Friends believed in the dream, gave generously, and encouraged us. Colleagues helped us continue job responsibilities. Family supported, visited, called, emailed.

Now there is a village with a computer lab, the knowledge to run it, and the eagerness to keep learning. More importantly, they know that people in other countries believe that their kids "can too".

As I told fifth-grader Gamaliel Rene this afternoon on the walk down, maybe twenty years from now he'll be in another village in another country, teaching computers.

Thank you all for walking with us. We have a few days left, but you were on the mountaintop today too.

Home...?

Far across the valley, you can see the little peaked roof of our house, as we begin the trek home.

We believe that wherever Danaya, Zane, and I are making a difference, that's home. Pinpointing that "place" gets harder, so we're going to stop trying.

The Last Look Back

When I was little, our family would plant our big garden together. It was hard, sweaty work, and when you finished, you wanted to head straight to the house.

My dad taught us to stop at the edge of the garden, look back on the planted rows, and think about hope. Imagine what will grow, and give thanks for the rain and the miracle of new life. And most importantly, remember that you are only the sower, not the creator.

Our planted rows today are beautiful in our eyes.

Goodbye Preschoolers

Look Ahead

What if the future could hold the same opportunities for all three?

Why not?

Not So Different

In the innocence of childhood, none of these kids knows about the words "opportunity" and "colour" and "poverty". They just eat together, play together, sing together, and get muddy together.

One of our goals, four months ago, was that Zane would grow up seeing "brothers", not "others". We believe that happens when we just live life with them.

Perpetual Puzzles

Our computer class girls learned how to send emails, and when their group switched out, they got right into their primary hobby.

Sing With Me

Choir Practice

Closure for Danaya needed a good singing time with the preschoolers. We've been sick with colds and coughs since we started with them, but we will sure miss them.

Junior Librarian

There's a lot of space left...for the ones that you're going to bring.

Sistema De Organizacion

Danaya finished the organizational system this morning, with a big poster to explain how to reshelve books. If you're bringing more books, you also know how to fit them into the system easily.

There is a yellow plastic package inside the shelves, containing stickers, tape, a stamp pad, and instructions for how to add books that you bring.

Francesca and Florinda

Florinda sewed and gave a tipico cloth to Danaya this morning, and told her it was for wrapping her tortillas. Both Francesca and Florinda were crying this morning as we left, as were the teachers we've worked with. The ladies use them as shade cloths on their heads when they are outside.

Joint Effort

All the students carried all the chairs back to the community centre this morning.

The Final Flete

We made it to the final flete with a few minutes to spare today. In all the hikes, we have never missed it, and never been more than five minutes early. As we ride up for the few minutes, we're chatting with different friends and families, just commuting together. We met Julio's wife Angelina today on the flete.

Walk With Me

We walk the path with people who walk where their ancestors have walked for centuries, and who have opened their lives and families to us for a brief moment. We will miss Julio, Santo, and Santa dearly, but their words are "return soon" and "thank you for helping our children".

The Final Steps

Today was our final climb up to Tierra Linda, for our last day of classes. The trail has been a love-hate relationship for us, because it is such an exhausting additional challenge to add into the days. On the other hand, it's been an incredible connection with the people, and has helped us walk a few steps in their shoes.

There are no words to describe how it feels to walk the path for the last time, weary but fulfilled, joyful but sad, saying goodbye to friends along the journey.

Maria

This is Maria and Alfredo, the wife and son of David, who's been learning computers from us. She was walking down the hill this morning to sell radishes in the market.

A House of Hope

David, 24, who's been learning computers with us, works with his dad Julio, goes to school, and goes to typing class. In his spare time, he is building a house for his wife and son. This is the whole house. He was building the stove when we stopped by today.

I remember the rickety pioneer cabins on the prairies, and wonder how strong they were when they carved out their lives, decades before we came along as grandchildren.

Not Exactly Picket Fences

We met some new friends tonight, who are friends of Mike and Adele's. They run a very successful school in possibly the most remote area of Guatemala, and have been there for nine years. They have only solar power, and the village is made up of replanted refugees. The government sent them there after the war for resettlement, because nobody else would ever want the land. We're going to fly with an MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowship) Cessna into their valley on Friday morning for the weekend. When opportunity knocks...

We'll hope to blog from there (solar-powered computers and satellite internet).

You can see where we're going by clicking here:

The Roads We Choose

In so many ways, we don't see the end of our roads when we start that first step. We trudge uphill in the mud, one step at a time, and at some point, you hope to see the vista. It has been a hard journey on many levels, but we would do it all over again.

"Vale la pena" (it's worth it).

Gracias

Estulio's aunt Maria wanted us to pass on a special thanks to our friends back home. In her words, "thank you for helping my grandchildren learn".

Francesca

Francesca's first week of teaching the preschool was the week that the Conexions team arrived, so Danaya has been working with her since the beginning. It's been a special team atmosphere with Francesca and Florinda each morning, and it's hard to leave them.

Family

We are going to miss Estulio and Florinda.

Look Into My Eyes

No Fear

Preschoolers

Francesca had been teaching the preschoolers to dance last week, and they performed so well.

Poems?

The older boys recited a poem, stanza by stanza, together.

Musical Chairs

Yes, for prizes. They took it seriously.

Look Closely

Are those real instruments? Nope, just an airband.

Sacked Out

Once the program stretched into the fifth hour, Zane sacked out for a bit.

Tipico Dancing

The classes all did dancing or singing presentations for their parents. This one had full fireworks going off (under the feet of the dancers).

Mati'ox (Thanks in Kakchiquel)

Mati'ox chiwa ru ma xka ta maj i wach.
(Thank you for your friendship).

Ma yix ka mestajta.
(We won't forget you).

Yix je pa kom.
(We will carry you in our hearts).

Full House

With 250 kids in the school, and parents added, it was a crowd and a half this morning.

The Tipico Family

Felipe, Joel, and Estulio all spoke a little bit as well. We'll sure miss these guys.

Fits Like a Glove!

Beginning The Goodbyes

Today was our second-last day in Tierra Linda, and it was a fiesta for "Day of the Family". They inserted a segment of thanks for us into the activities, and presented us with tipico jackets as a gesture of thanks. We had a few sentences of thanks written out in Spanish and Kakchiquel, and were able to express our thanks for their welcome and friendship.

Toy Cockroaches

Zane was enjoying playing with a cockroach this morning.

No Joke

Apprarently this turns into a butterfly. A big butterfly.

Lungi's Dream

Lungi, Mike and Adele's daughter, dreams of being a veterinarian. Judging by her love for the local street dogs (whom she singlehandedly supports), she's well on her way. This box is in Crossroads, if you have spare change to pitch in and encourage her with.

The First Class!

We were the first students to have a class in Candelaria and Gregorio's new "school" building. We are sure going to miss spending time with Candelaria. It is an incredible thing to realize that they have built their success from scratch, and that it is possible. The new building will house their family, the Spanish school, and space for Starfish, the scholarship program that Candelaria administrates.

Learning We Desire

"Tell us, if there were one thing we could do for your village, what would it be?"

"With all respect, Sahib, you have little to teach us in strength and toughness.  And we don't envy you your restless spirits. Perhaps we are happier than you? But we would like our children to go to school. Of all the things you have, learning is the one we most desire for our children."

Conversation between Sir Edmund Hillary and Urkien Sherpa, from Schoolhouse in the Clouds,
as quoted in "Three Cups of Tea" by Mortenson and Relin

Perhaps things in the Himalayas aren't so very different than in Guatemala.

Email At Tierra Linda

This is our first-ever blog post posted from Tierra Linda. We´re sitting in the computer classroom, and Vicente just took and uploaded this photo. The sixth-graders are all sending emails back and forth for the first time.

No Linchamiento (No Lynching)

This sign in a local window is trying to discourage "lynching". A recent article said that 98% of reported crimes in Guatemala go unsolved, and so often people have taken the law into their own hands. It is a disturbing graphic.

Short Pants

Tipico Santiago dress for men includes these short pants, held up with a wrap-around cloth belt.

Zane, of course, was off reading letters by himself, as usual.

Rooftop Living

We don't often post photos like this, but thought this one was unusual.

The Best Memorial

This is the memorial that we think Stanley Rother would be most proud to see - people still filling the church, speaking in Spanish and Tzutujil.

Memorial To Stanley Rother

The Catholic church building here dates back to 1547. Stanley Rother, an American priest, served in this church for 13 years before being murdered in the church by a death squad in 1981. He is remembered for his solidarity with the people of Guatemala, and he was inspirational for them in the time of civil war. You can read more about him by clicking here.

Santiago Atitlan

We had another hotel gift certificate that we'd bought in the silent auction fundraiser for LIFE School, and decided to scoot across the lake to Santiago Atitlan. This is the Posada de Santiago. It's a very cool place.

VIDEO: Congrats Graig

Danaya's cousin Graig is graduating from dental school today, and we are proud of him for sticking with it over all the years. If we were at the graduation, we'd be cheering loudly.

Maestro David (Teacher David)

David and the others did a great job of teaching, troubleshooting, and guiding the newcomers.

Dorcas

Dorcas has been eagerly wanting a chance to learn, since she's in one of the younger grades.

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Community Saturday

With the help of Vicente, Rodolfo, Joel, and David, we opened the computer lab to the community on Saturday. They learned how to set up and take down the lab, and we were open from 10 AM to 4:30 PM. All the computers were in use for virtually the whole time, with some people staying all 6 1/2 hours. The majority of the users were highschoolers who attend school in Solola and Panajachel, and they were thrilled to practice more typing, set up email accounts, and just have time on the computers.

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Loro (Parrot)

This is a wild parrot that visits Abel's house. For some reason, it will sit on his fingers, let him touch its head, and talk with him. It says "Abel" and "Papa", imitates coughs, and is probably 50 years old. We'd rank it among the most unusual things we've seen here.

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