Our thoughts about Guatemala

Our familiy outside the hotel door in Guatemala City.

Our family sitting on top of a large boat waiting for a ride from Santiago to San Pedro to visit a seminarian/transitional deacon "Luis"

My beautiful daughter Mackenzie lying on the shore of Lake Atitlan and San Lucas Toliman.

The kids and I in front of the Parish Mission at San Lucas. The Mission is over 400 years old and yes, Sean could have burned it down when he shot fire works, fire crackers, and what I think were M-80's onto the roof. Would you believe his partner in crime was none the less, Father Avram. Good thing it was the rainy season.
My beautiful wife and I at the docks by the village. Pretty cute couple I bet you were thinking.....


I'm not sure what my thoughts really were about Guatemala prior to going except for the fact that I felt drawn to go there. What we experienced in Guatemala was much more than I expected. The people were so friendly, inviting and joyful. Even though they were very poor, many with dirt floors, tin roofs and canvas walls, they possessed such joy and happiness. As each day progressed, I realized that the people of Guatemala have something that so many of us in America do not have, they have a sense of peace and tranquility. Most mornings started off with breakfast followed by work. Sean and Pat did manual labor (painting at the Mission School, clearing rocks and hauling dirt in sacks to beautify a park at a new village, cutting rebar at the construction site of a new laboratory at the clinic), Mackenzie and Liz helped package coffee from the mission plantations, helped in the mission school library--covering books and enjoying the school children, and much more. Since it was the rainy season in a tropical environment, many afternoons had serious showers. The rain prevented further work, but that didn't seem to bother the locals, they just go with the flow. It allowed a lot of time for visiting, playing cards, and reflection. There is something about Guatemala time. I don't think anyone really carries a watch. Things begin when they begin. One day while in our house, we were even hit with lightening, yes struck by lightening on our tin roof. What a loud boom that was. Yes, Liz did just about have a heart attack. We experienced so many wonderful things that we are still attempting to process them all. We were changed by our experience, now the difficult part is to keep a balance in our life after experiencing such a wonderful culture and people. I really want to thank everyone who kept us in your prayers, and especially Fr. Michael. We really felt your prayers and protection while we were gone. Everything went so smoothly, or at least when it didn't, we maintained peace and a sense of comfort.