Safe and Sound in Guatemala

Well, we all made it here is one piece. We have been in Guatemala almost 1 week. Things are going well and we are settling into somewhat of a routine. We are living in a small town called Palencia, about 1/2 hour outside of Guatemala city. Several days a week Chris will be at the school working on organizational consulting stuff. I will let him write about that. Halle and I will be home most days, but will occasionally accompany Chris to the school. We are lucky to be staying in a nice house with a beautiful little yard. Halle is loving all these new surroundings she has to explore.

During our week here there have been a couple of experiences that have caused me some reflection that I would like to share. The other day we went to eat at a little place (you can't really call it a restaurant-it was just an eating place). A dirty, barefoot little boy that appeared to be around 6 years old approached us asking for money. Berly (the director of the school and also the mother of the family we are staying with) offered him her meal. His face fell, however, when she told himto stay right there and eat it. (so that we could return the dishes when he was done). He said his little brother (maybe four years old) was across the way also asking for money and he wanted to share with him. Berly had the food put in a bag and the little boy ran off, a huge smile on his face, anxious to share his spoils with his brother.

Later that day we went to the store. We needed some "American" things so we went to Guatemala's equivalent of Wal-Mart. We bought a play pen, some diapers and formula, some toiletries and snacks. Our total came to about 1,400 Quetzales, and Chris and I commented to each other that that is comparable to what many people make here in a month.

I tell Chris whenever I start getting materialistic, just take me to an underdeveloped country.It seems to cure me for a while. We truly have so much for which to be grateful.