Cinco!

The ting of excitement in the air. Plans made. Passports (almost) not forgotten. It's time.

ALLONS-Y!

Each trip has been an expansion and evolved form from the last. This trip is both the same and new.

More stoves* and some new projects. The new ones:

Water Filters: Through our contact known as Gaborrrrrrrr, we were able to connect with a non-profit that supplies water filters to schools. Now we are able to provide these to the school, the Church and the leivas farm. These are better designed filters that aren't expensive to replace and even then, the only part that would need replaced is the clay part inside.

Standing Vegetable Gardens: Debbie and Greg have a plan for vegetable gardens for the people of Joconal. Gardens that the chickens cannot reach (to steal away with the seeds).

Financial Education: Zak and his mother plan on giving financial education and determining what the people of Joconal know about finances.

*The Stoves: The stoves we have been installing for the people (which vent the smoke out of the kitchen) has been the project for the past 3 trips. It is now visible that some of them have built their own stoves themselves. It's beautiful, they're seeing how the stoves work and making their own (as opposed to waiting for us to come and do everything. Speaking of which. This time around, the men of each house are working with the stove construction. This is good on several levels. First, the men of each house are now taking ownership. Second, we are not
“magic-white-santa-clause” people. We are there to help, not become crutches. Third, this is hard work. Each piece of stove needs to be carried up a very steep, very muddy hill. All help is appreciated.

I should take the time now to note that Zak is listening to an Ipod. I make note for no other reason than that Zak is using an Apple product. Meanwhile, Mr. Covalt was kind enough to provide transportation and amuse us with personal anecdotes. Speaking of amusing, I was able to take a few video clips of Guatemalan driving 'dash-cam' style. Just some video evidence that some (or all) Guatemalans treat traffic laws more like guidelines than actual laws.

While there for our first day, we make our way over to Armando's brother's Church to do some work. We are to sand down the support beams and paint over them. Zak even found a bees nest, next to his face. Fortunately no one was stung. We celebrated with nachos in Antigua, which would have been more enjoyable without a noisy crowd of people who had also appeared.

After our 5-6 hours of driving through the country and the van not making it up the driveway, the mountains kick our buts from the start. Meanwhile, Zak and Greg must deal with re-adjusting the satellite for the internet – it is rather cumbersome and the signal is elusive.

After installing the stoves for the day, I sit down for a snack and take notes. I take a look at the trees and see a massive swarm of bees! Bees swarming in giant circles, staying away from the building, but making me nervous none the less. After a few minutes, these bees return to a branch. After another few minutes, I see a rock fly past the nest. Some of the kids are throwing rocks at the hive! Silly loco Guatemalan kids.

Now, the nearby Church that we also help has a new pastor. From what I've seen on this trip, I like him. He not only makes his way around the village, but he also assists with a few of the stoves. He is not afraid to do work and get his hands dirty. (No, really, the old stoves are basically blocks of dirt, so it's dirty work – or dirty deeds, done dirt cheap ;)

Over the course of the week, the battle continues. The mountains kick our buts and we get stove after stove installed. The other projects get completed and Kelly threatens me thrice. Her issue (one I agreed with at the start) was that my allergy to certain biting insects needs further review, or rather an appointment with a doctor. One more thing on my to-do list once we get back, but then again, I agree with the concern.

The final day of the week. We spend time in Antigua and I get to enjoy the ice cream and pizza shops I missed from last year. I also enjoy a cup of coffee and time alone with my thoughts walking the streets of Antigua. The many beautifully colored buildings and especially the Churches. I take the time to pray in one of them. As much as I joke about going and not returning, that might actually happen some time. It's a beautiful country and I feel deeply connected with the people I've met there over the years.