Update - August 1

Greetings, everyone.

Apologies for the lack of posting over the past couple of days - they have been fairly busy.

Yesterday was the end of our VBS programs both at Casita Benjamin and the school in La Limonada. The final sessions went well in both places, but the goodbyes were difficult. These kids have stolen our hearts over the past few days, and many of us would like nothing better than to stay with them and try to protect them from the hardships that they will undoubtedly face. La Limonada is bewitching in the sense that when we walked through it, we couldn't but help but notice a sort of unconventional beauty in the cobbled-together houses, the bright paint colors, the flashes of vegetation, the stray dogs padding down the twisting streets. And that carries over a bit to working with the kids. They're hilarious and kind and beautiful and fun. Sure, they fight over losing a game or try to steal Play-doh, but what kids don't? (YOUR kids, right?) But once you say goodbye and head out on a few house visitations, you are forced to toss out whatever sentimental vision of their life you had in mind. We visited one woman who is taking care of four of her grandchildren because her son is in jail and his wife doesn't have much to do with them. They live in a damp, smoky concrete cubbyhole. If and when the father gets out of jail, it's no promise of a better life, either, because he has a drinking problem. Or there's the group of children who are living together without parents or any adults, for that matter. Or the family who just lost their father to gang violence. Or the woman who is suffering from cancer and can't help support her family. How can we just leave these children, especially when they seem so ecstatic to see us? It was really, really difficult.

Last night, after finishing up at La Limonada, we headed to Pollo Campero (a classier Guatemalan version of KFC - they make their own ketchup in-house) to meet with Shorty, a man who used to live on the streets but has since started up a ministry for homeless people. We heard a testimony from his friend Abraham while eating dinner, and then headed across the street to help put on a street ministry for those living in Parque Concordia. The original plan included a clown, a drama, and us sharing some songs and testimonies. Unfortunately, due to some pretty heavy rainfall, we had to cut it a bit short, but we were still able to share a few songs and serve them hot meal. We also gave Shorty and his people the blankets and quilts that were sponsored at the auction, and they distributed them for us. As Stuart pointed out, getting soaked out in the rain gave us a small taste of what they had to deal with all the time. By the time we got back to Seteca, everyone was pretty wiped out.

Except for Joe, Jerry and Greg, who spent the day in La Limonada working at the construction site, today involved visiting the prison in the morning, which Julie has written about above, and then heading to Zona 1 of Guatemala City for some sightseeing. Most of our time was spent in the Parque Central, a beautiful square flanked by the palace, the cathedral, and a Wendy's, among other things. After learning that we wouldn't be able to tour the palace, we hung out in the cathedral to avoid a downpour, and then spent some time getting coffee and/or getting heckled in the market. Now we are back at Seteca. Tomorrow we head out quite early to spend some time at Lake Atitlán. Hopefully, sometime tomorrow, I will be sitting in an internet cafe with a high speed connection, uploading pictures by the dozen.

Thanks again for your support - we can certainly feel your prayers.