Guatemala Mission Trip: The Faces…

“We gain strength and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face…we must do that which we think we cannot.”

~Eleanor Roosevelt

As I settle into my life again, post Guatemala, in my beautiful, clean home on the water I am feeling so blessed. I can go to my sink and pour a glass of water and drink it with no worries of dysentery. I have been to the Fruit Center and I have plenty of healthy food to eat.  And there is no one on the street with a rifle.

My mission trip to Guatemala was a profound experience. I knew it would be, but I was not sure in what ways.  To be honest, I think I will be figuring this out for some time.  For now I know I am so grateful to live in this country, and I am happy to be home with my family and friends.

Today I want to share with you what struck me the most on my trip:  the faces of the people we met in Guatemala, especially the children.  These faces are etched on my heart and will forever be there…

As we were building our house, many people of the village came out to watch us. The children played with the leftover wood blocks, not so different from the blocks my children played with when they were younger.

Kelly’s daughter and my friend Riley Kole with her friend Lettie, whom she met last year on her first trip.  Their reunion was very emotional and sweet.

The children were not shy at all, they sat right next to me and wanted to touch my “signature” red lips too~

Marcus, a very talented artist, gifted me his art work.  I adored the way he blended his colors…

This is the family we built our home for. They were very kind to us throughout our week…

Kelly Kole, my inspiration, and me ~ just look at that house behind us, so proud!

The women of the village (plus one boy) watched us from the shade under a tin roof.

The children called Chase Santa Claus.  They know Santa Claus in Guatemala, even though they don’t receive gifts from him.

I  loved this set of twin boys at the school:

A young artist with her abstract painting.  You may notice the school uniform ~the children whose parents can afford to send them to school guarantees that the student will receive a lunch.  Unfortunately,  not all the children are so lucky.

More artists.   The children loved the watercolors I brought, there were sooo many eager painters that I had to divide my paper into thirds.

This  is Kelly Kole’s family from last year.  Kelly returned in November with sheets, pillows and other household basics for their home.

The children were an adorable distraction while I was working, they really wanted to play….

It was not unusual to see a young child  of 7 or 8 yrs. old with a younger sibling on their back.  They were so small, it must have been difficult.

My friend Grace was a pied piper with the children…

And more children ~ there was never a lack of young ones.  I wonder what is going on behind those eyes? What have they seen?

My happiest moment was when I was able to hold a little one named Emily… she is an angel just like my Emily.

While many of the faces may have had smiles on,  these photos don’t show the hunger pains, the flies,  and the dirt on their colorful dresses that they wear everyday.

But it is those faces I will remember in my heart…

“Poverty is a veil that obscures the face of greatness.”

~Khalil Gibran

xo,

Pamela

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