Evan's dream trip. Drew! In June, he joined Chad, Adam, Evan, and Grant on a mission trip to Guatemala. Enjoy!
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We left Nebraska on June 6 with our mission team, bound for Wichita KS, where we would spend the night. We didn't get much sleep that night, and left for the airport at 4 am. We flew from Kansas to Houston, Texas, and from Houston to Guatemala City.
We arrived at Guatemala around lunch time, and were met by our mission coordinator/translator, Rebecca. She took us out to eat lunch at the Guatemalan version of KFC. After lunch our bus driver, Neddie, drove us to FundaNinos, the orphanage we were staying.
Our Team
Left to Right: Miriam Nikodym, Jamie Nikodym (granddaughter to Miriam), Rebecca (in front), Susan Adam, Adam, Grant, Drew, Pastor Chad, and Evan.
Once we arrived, we were shown the rooms that we were staying and were given a tour of the compound. Among the buildings in the compound were the guest's house, the directors' houses, the Boys' House, the Girls' House, the Baby House (in the lower level of the lead directors' house), the Comadore (eating house) and a school. There was also a playground, a soccer field and a porch swing under a pergola that looked out over that soccer field and had a great view of the huge mountain that was right next to the compound.
The Building Where We Stayed
(We stayed in the lower level.)
Top Left: Huge mountain
Bottom Left Next to Wall: Soccer field
Center: Pergola and swing
Building to the Right of the Pergola: School
To the Left of the School, behind Pergola: Suspicious crops under plastic
Monday-Thursday followed a rather constant routine.
First, we woke up and got ready. Then we went to the comadore to eat breakfast. The meals at FundaNinos were something different every time. Most of the food was donated. One day for breakfast, we had this oatmeal concoction, and another, we had egg sandwiches. Once for lunch, we had meatballs on rice, and another day we had mac 'n' cheese with hot dogs. For supper however, almost every night, we had some form of scrambled eggs and black beans.
One day, we even made our own tortillas!
After breakfast, we got started on our school painting project for the day. We painted a room in the lower level and most of the south, east and west outside walls of the school.
Working on West Outside Wall
(We had to get up HIGH!)
(It must have been bright during this picture.)
South and East Outside Walls
(Rebecca even did double rollers!)
While we were painting, Humberto (Pronounced, Oom-bwhere-tow), Rebecca's future son-in-law, always showed up to help. He didn't speak much English, but he always lightened the mood whenever he was around. Without him, we wouldn't have gotten nearly as much done as we did.
Painting Team
Third From the Right: Humberto
Not Pictured: Rebecca
Blue Doors in the Background: Painted by Humberto, Jamie and Adam
We painted until it was lunch time. After lunch, we either got back to work, prepared for Vacation Bible School, or played Four Square. They sometimes played Four Square with their feet; I had only played it with my hands before.
Every afternoon, we conducted a Vacation Bible School that was based on Proverbs. Many of the children spoke a little English (and some knew a lot!), but their main language was Spanish. Because of this, Rebecca and a guy named Andres, who is the soccer coach at FundaNinos, translated during the VBS (and whenever else we needed help with our limited Spanish).
The VBS consisted of a lesson, a snack, a craft, music, and a puppet show.
After VBS, we usually headed outside for some football (Spanish for soccer). One day, Humberto played with us. He is actually a professional soccer player.
On Thursday, we were treated to a real soccer game, in which some of the kids we knew, played. After the game, Jason, one of the directors of FundaNinos, took us to McDonald's.
Chillin' with Ronald
Friday morning was a difficult one. It was the morning we left FundaNinos. We said our good-byes and handed out some bracelets that we had made. We may never see those kids and those people again, but we will never forget them.
On Friday, after we left FundaNinos, we saw the Lutheran Hour Ministries headquarters in Guatemala City.
Then, we went sightseeing in Antigua, Guatemala.
Looking Over Antigua From Cross Hill
Sightseeing in Antigua
In between Jamie and Grant: Tour guide friend
A Blessing Given By Rebecca
Shopping At the Market
Sign At the Market
Farewell Dinner
"There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
Ephesians 4:4-6
1 comment:
Love hearing about the trip through Drew's eyes! What a precious time for them I am sure. I wonder all that Evan must have been thinking throughout his trip... I am so grateful for the work they did, the sharing of Jesus that happened and the love that they shared with those there in Guatemala... What a blessing... Miss you all!
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