Sunday April 7

Greenbank-Seagrave Mission Team

Sunday April 7, 2019

It was another early morning…breakfast by 7:30 – we are 2 hours behind our friends and family back home. Carmen served us hot Guatemalan coffee, cereal, fruit and …peanut butter!  We had an 8am pick up around the corner.  The streets here in Antigua are starting to be shut down for an annual Easter festival and parade.  It is the kick off to celebrating Holy Week (Semana Santa). Antigua is a large city with about 46, 000 pilgrims (citizens), but this weekend more than half a million descend upon the city to celebrate by decorating the streets and balconies.  They fill the streets with carpets out of sawdust and flowers that  disappear the moment that “pilgrams” walk upon them.

We began the day with Church in Chimalentango…an Evangelical Pastor calling the neighborhood children in to meet us and have a special time with Canadian Friends.  When we arrived at “Church” we were surprised to find that we were set up in a Carwash. Literally, it is a carwash all week, but Sundays it is used for Church services!  John 10:14-16   "I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me,just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep."  Juli lead the lesson through the translator, and then we all did a scavenger hunt to find the lost sheep (colored cotton balls) and then we played “popcorn sheep” with the cotton balls on the parachute while the shepherds found their “color” of sheep. The kids absolutely loved the parachute! 

Cathy led the craft through the translator for all the guests and we made friendship bracelets with yarn to remind us that Jesus is our Shepherd and to represent our new friendships with each other. The parents including the fathers and the children really loved the craft and stayed with it until it was done. We lined up the ninos and ninas and then began distributing goody bags and teddy bears that Eunice Rahm made for us.

 We handed out more than 65 bears to the children today!

The children started gathering and a team from the church sang songs with the kids and danced and prayed together before welcoming our team in to lead them in a Sunday School Program.  We talked about how we are sheep and our Shepherd will never lead us astray. Jesus will always find us if we are lost and we related it back to John 10:14-16   "I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep."  Juli lead the lesson through the translator, and then we all did a scavenger hunt to find the lost sheep (colored cotton balls) and then we played “popcorn sheep” with the cotton balls on the parachute while the shepherds found their “color” of sheep.  The kids absolutely loved the parachute!  Cathy led the craft through the translator for all the guests and we made friendship bracelets with yarn to remind us that Jesus is our Shepherd and to represent our new friendships with each other.  The parents including the fathers and the children really loved the craft and stayed with it until it was done.  We lined up the ninos and ninas and then began distributing goody bags and teddy bears that Eunice Rahm made for us.  We handed out more than 65 bears to the children today!

It was an awesome experience, connecting with the children and making friends with the teen age leaders of their children’s program. They were so grateful for the lesson and the gifts and it really filled our hearts to see their smiles and feel their hugs!

We had an eventful trip to the Sunday market in Parramos on the way back for lunch.  We did a quick tour through to pick up some fruit for the hotel…well, mainly bananas.  We bought 24 bananas, 2 fresh pinapple, a watermelon and 3 mangos all for 55Qs ($10CAN).  We made it back to the School of Hope for lunch – sandwiches, fresh guacamole, fruits and cookies.

School Maintenance

Maintenance is important.  With the rainy season coming - some basic maintenance of the property is required ensure the buildings stay in good condition.  

 

Stephanie, Rod, Doug and Krista donned their sunscreen, gloves and smiles and headed out with sandpaper and paintbrushes to give the exterior window bars a fresh coating of paint.  While they were scraping the paint, Rod spotted several active wasp nests along the soffits of the school.  Krista volunteered to climb the ladder with a jar and remove the nests - smoking them out.  Luckily Rod did not Tragically break his Hip.  All in all, almost one side of the school was completed, and everyone got to know each other a little better as they chatted from the ladders.

Build a Home

Dianne, Kelly, Stan, Judy and Cathy gathered their tools and walked across to the building site that was located at the back of the School of Hope property with Miguel (local contractor) the lead on the job. The project for the afternoon was to construct walls for the build a home family.  Everyone was able to share their talents. They measured, cut, laid out the frames, nailed the wall structure and covered it with the outside board. They were thrilled to have nails that hammer in straight and timely this year!  They had a very successful team on the job with the completion of 7 panels.  Stan and Kelly ran the skill saw to start the process, with great skill Stan added. 😃  Dianne laid the frames as the cut measured boards were ready. The next step was Judy, Kathy and Dianne began nailing the frames together.  They all worked to cover the frames with a light panel and finished nailing them secure. Cutting the excess after the plum line was added, was everyone’s job at one point.  Cutting the windows and door was done with a hand saw. They all at one point managed this job. Great team effort for the build a home crew today!

School Preparation

Brian and Juli spent a lovely afternoon wrapping workbooks for the children at the School of Hope.  This way all the children’s books are color coded and easy to keep track of for both the teachers and the students. We then prepared the materials needed for our busy day tomorrow so the team can be ready to go first thing in the morning.

We found our way back to Antigua, and wow!  What a bustling place.  We all went for short walks around the area and enjoyed the street decorations and the excitement.  Doug and Stephanie toured a Catholic Church that is celebrating its 800^thanniversary this year and really noticed how elaborate and realistic they portray the events leading up to Easter.  We are curious to see how the week unfolds as we move towards Easter.

Carmen prepared spaghetti for dinner and fresh salad – with fresh fruit for dessert! It was beautiful end to a full day!

GS Mission Team

Saturday April 6, 2019

Greenbank-Seagrave Mission Team

Saturday April 6

Breakfast was at 7:30 am – eggs, black beans, fresh fruit, fried plantains and peanut butter!!! Carmen is an amazing cook and we are so lucky to have her serving us again!  Pick up was at 8am and Enrique is our van driver for the week.  It is a half hour drive to the School of Hope where our “home base” will be for the week.

Sorting

Judy, Cathy and Juli spent the morning unpacking, sorting and repacking the 35, fifty pound bags of donated items.  They sorted the 460 goody bags for the boys and girls that the team will work with over the next week.  They had a little help from the boys with all the athletic equipment.  Unfortunately last night upon our arrival, it rained, so many of our bags were damp this morning and needed to be unpacked, aired out and dried before we could re-sort it.

Build a Classroom

Stan and Doug worked at the new addition of the School of Hope.  They dug holes down to the footings for additional support. It was warm work in the sun and working in the high altitude was very noticeable.  They then went to the school to blow up all the balls for the picnic and for the schools. 

Build a Stove

Rod and Kelly had a very productive day! They worked with a talented mason and almost completed a stove in just one morning. The family was so happy with the donated gifts that they received. They have never meet people that had so little but smiled so much. A great start to a busy week!

Build a Home

After gathering supplies at the School of Hope, Dianne, Brian, Krista and Stephanie headed to the first work site, to meet our build-a-home family.  They were excited to meet this family, as our team member, and Minister, Stephanie's sponsored family was the recipient of the home.  Demaris - Stephanie's sponsored child greeted us happily at the gate of the town lot with the rest of her family.

The forms had been pre-set by Loving Arms helpers, and they set forth with the team to hand mix the cement, rocks and sand, in a pit they made on the ground.  They wheelbarrowed over 30 wheelbarrows of cement into the forms, and smoothed the cement in preparation for the next group to put the walls up on a subsequent day.

They rotated entertaining the children with hopscotch, pockets of hard candy and small toys.  Stephanie helped the children write their names with rocks in the sand.  She also helped the family imprint their hands into the cement pad for a lifetime memory.

As they were finishing, we watched one of the ladies work on an intricate fabric weave.  They noticed that many of the women’s shirts were the same pattern as the weave she was working on.  As she worked, her baby rested quietly in a sling on her back.  She was very proud of her work and eager to show off her work.

As they waited for their ride, they had a lovely conversation with some of the other ladies, using Google Translate.  They were so happy to find out that one of them could read Spanish.

After about 3.5 hours of work, their ride came, and they headed back to the School of Hope for lunch.  They left the helpers - one of whom was a member of the family to complete the removal of the forms and finish the smoothing.  They were very hard workers.  They all left the site sweaty, dirty and sunburnt.  It was a very rewarding morning for all.

 

Picnic

We were graced with really good weather as we welcomed 14 sponsored children (69 guests). These children are all sponsored by Greenbank, Seagrave and Port Perry supporters or our team members.  We were fortunate to bring care packages for the children and their families.  

We played soccer games, parachute games, bubbles and stickers, and BELLS!  

They kids really enjoyed their time together. It was alive with laughter and good cheer…even before we served cake and juice! It was amazing that some of the children had never seen a juice box and we had to show them how to use it.

  Each team member was blessed to sit with each family as they received their gifts.  They were so full of gratitude and thanks not only for the “regalo” (gifts) but for the monthly sponsorships that allow them to go to school and provide food for their families. 

 It was an emotional but rewarding time together, and we are all excited to build on those relationships this week.

 

We arrived back at La Hotel Merced at about 5:15 exhausted.  Carmen had dinner ready for 6 – chicken, rice and vegetables. Everyone was happy to have hot showers to clean up and we have enjoyed the evening writing our blog and sharing pictures and stories of the day.  We built our wall of sponsorship and all took a moment in gratitude for all the help that we have had over the last year to get us here.  In deepest gratitude, we say thank you.

We are excited for tomorrow!

GS Mission Team

Friday April 5, 2019

Greenbank-Seagrave Mission Team

Friday April 5

An early morning start – 6:30am – and Margaret Ann Lamb came to see the team off.  We had a group prayer in the parking lot at Country Style in Manchester and then convoyed to the airport.  It was amazing how smooth everything went checking in our 35 fifty pound bags.  

We were slow through customs and security, but we had lots of time for breakfast before our flight at 12:30.  We flew to Miami and had a short layover…thankfully we had a layover…because Stephanie wandered off in search of pizza and crossed the caution line…into Miami.  Luckily she had her cellphone to call for help…Doug and Dianne had to bring her her passport…they handed it over the line and then she had to go and clear security all over again!   Needless to say, Stephanie is now assigned a chaperone at all times!  

It was a quick 2 hour flight with a hard landing into Guatemala City where customs was a breeze!  Alicia was waiting with a van and a truck and we loaded and headed to Antigua.  Our accommodations are the best we have ever experienced on our Missions, and we already know how comfortable we will be here for the week!

We are all exhausted…goodnight!

GS Mission Team

We are busy sewing with a community of women from the Greenbank and Seagrave United Churches.

We are making drawstring backpacks for the children in Guatemala to receive their goody bags and hygiene products in.  This will be useful for them even after we leave.

In the past, we have delivered these items in ziplock bags...but not this time!  Thanks to a dedicated group of women we have these amazing bags!  We know the kids in Guatemala will just love them!


Thanks ladies for your ongoing support!




Juli Conard
Mission Coordinator

Preparation Mode

It is my pleasure to introduce you to our 2019 Mission Team!

Stephanie Richmond
Dianne Pelletier
Kelly Newlove
Brian Jones
Cathy Nix
Doug Watson
Judy Howsam
Stanley Anzlin
Rodney Parsons
Krista LeFort-Craig
Juli Conard

We are returning to work in remote Guatemala April 5-15, 2019 and we have some amazing new projects and initiatives lined up for this trip.  Stay tuned for more details!

If you would like to donate, we would be grateful for your support!

Greenbank Mission Team

Blessings,
Juli Conard
Team Coordinator

Saturday April 16

An early start to the day found us making our own breakfast as we needed to leave for our day of activities before the Chicken Bus runs to get Carmen to work.  We made French toast and scrambled eggs and fresh fruit.  Delicious!!

Mynor took us to Antigua to a tour company that then delivered us in two different directions:

Coffee Plantation Tour – Brian and Diane

Volcano Pacaya – Suzanne, Kelly, Doug, Tim, Juli, Dianne, Lauren, Cathy, Gabby, Charlotte, Louisa

Coffee Plantation Tour

Diane and Brian visited the Filadelphia Coffee Plantation. It is 600 acres, and is owed by 4th generation in the same family.  Some interesting facts that we learned are:

•    152 beans to make 1 cup of coffee

•    from picking to packaging is a 6 week process

•    every plant is grafted by women only because they have a higher alkaline pH than men (grafting is 80% success rate for women compared to 60% success rate for men, who have a higher acidic pH)

•    the lowest quality of beans are used for instant coffee

•    beans are hand picked individually and sorted into 3 grades

•    the medium sized beans produce the best coffee

•    Harvest is from November to March 

This plantation stopped selling to Starbucks three years ago because they found out Starbucks mixes the quality/grades of their beans because Starbucks lovers enjoy sweeter and fancier drinks than plain coffee and the quality of beans are not a priority. 

We ended our tour with the best coffee in the entire world and we will never look at coffee the same way again.

After returning to Antigua we toured the market place to spend our Qs. We were delighted to connect with Cecii and Carlos who were our 2013 interpreters. We toured Cecii's family hotel in Antigua where they charge $35US per night. We surprised Carlos when we dropped in on his family store. 

Volcano Pacaya Hike

Arrived mid morning to the volcano and were immediately surrounded by youngsters wanting to sell us walking sticks.  In hind sight, THANK GOD we bought them.  A very knowledgeable tour guide started us on our climb….. and climb…..and climb….and climb.  The taxi service were following us closely behind in case they were required.  ie  horses for Cathy and Doug.  Frequent rest stops were required not only because of the climb, but also due to the high altitude.  From one vista point we could see a powerplant that was harvesting the earths heat to generate electricity – an Israeli Company who sells all of the energy to El Salvador…interesting? Because of the foggy conditions, and with the recommendation of our tour guide we went to the second crater.  Our guide informed us that there was an eruption last night and we were currently at an orange alert level meaning it could erupt at any time.  As we got into the lava filled crater, we could see 3 distinct lava flows, one from 2010, one from 2012 and one from 2013.  Those of us that had made this climb back in 2010 were amazed how different it was this time as a result of the huge 2010 eruption.  So in this crater, we were standing on more than 100 meters of volcanic rock.  There were still active hot spots that when we lifted volcanic rocks out, they were still very hot and we roasted marshmallows in one of the crevices that was emitting extreme heat.  We walked across the lava field to the “Lava Store”.  A very unique store that National Geographic recognized it for its uniqueness.  Local artisans carved shapes from coconut shells and filled with volcanic rock.  We enjoyed our time there and the rest, and then our guide called us to start our hike straight up and out of the crater.  Once out of the crater, the hike was somewhat easier as it was downhill albeit steep, most of the way down.   Then we loaded ourselves back into the van (and most slept) and went to Antigua to go to the market and catch up with Diane and Brian. 

We met up with Diane and Brian, enjoyed spending and haggling our Qs at the market, seeing all of their handmade crafts and handiwork.  We navigated Antigua well considering we haven’t been in 3 years…and met up with Mynor at 5pm at Café Barista.

We arrived home from our adventures today to find a surprise Team Dinner waiting for us along with Alicia, Sergio and Sergio, Brenda and Linda.  Carmen out did herself with BBQ chicken and a potato casserole.  Linda led grace and we enjoyed a time of conversation, fellowship and recapping of the day. We also learned tonight at dinner that the six acre flower and vegetable farm complete with greenhouses is for sale directly beside the "Centre of Hope" school for $150,000US. What a deal for a new owner.  Hugs and goodbyes are never easy, but the love in the room really said it all.

Tomorrow we have a long day of travel and won’t be arriving home until 12:06am Monday.  So, we sign off the daily blogs with blessings to all who have followed and prayed and supported this last week of work.  None of this would have been possible with out your love and support and the will of God. 

Blessings,

The Greenbank Mission Team

Doug, Kelly, Suzanne, Cathy, Diane, Brian, Dianne, Lauren, Tim, Juli

Friday, April 15

Another beautiful start to the day! A few went for a walk to the back of the property to see an amazing sunrise. There was a haze in the valley and contrasted by the clear mountains and we could see the sunshine on the peak of the volcano. It has been very quiet for the last few days.

Carmen made another wonderful breakfast of hard-boiled eggs, mango and coffee. Lauren and Doug accompanied Mynor on the school bus to pick up the students for the Center of Hope School. The students were excited and the bus was packed full of energy.

Science Fair

The students were going to have science for the morning. The science programs were from Ontario’s Scientists in School program. The team members presenting the science program were Diane P., Lauren, Brian, Suzanne and Cathy. The science workshop began with “Elephants Toothpaste” and many wide eyed happy faces. We divided the group of 40 students into 5 equal sized group and travelled to five exciting centres including magnets, structures, sight and hearing, marine biology, and solar and light energy. Since science is not a part of the curriculum in Guatemala learning was happening by both students and teachers.

The students spent 20 minutes at each center, experimenting and exploring all the activities. It was a delight to share the science activities from the Ontario science curriculum with the students. Highlights from each center were: the Solar art wheel which allowed the students to hold the solar wheel up to the sun to create a work of art, a competition between students as to which item was magnetic or not magnetic, the sound of the ocean waves from the snails at the marine biology center, the concept of needing light to see an object in the birdhouse, and creating a structure using connectors and straws. We hope the students had as much fun as we did.

Stove Program

Kelly, Doug, and Angel headed to La Hermita to finish the stove that was started yesterday.  We carried our tools down the steep path that would challenge a goat and arrived at the house.  Momma let us in and we began mixing more mortar to finish the stove.  The family had to leave so it was all business for the three of us.  Kelly mixed mortar, Doug cut blocks with a machete and Angel laid the brickwork.  After awhile, Angel got a phone call from Mynor saying he would be there in 10 minutes to pick us up.  So it was double time to finish the parging of the stove.  I haven’t seen Angel move that quick.  Just as we finished the stove, Momma returned so we showed her the gifts we left for the family and climbed back up the vertical goat path to Mynor who was waiting to take us back to the school.

Shoe Distribution at Corrales School

So we headed up the mountain to the town of Corrales with three hockey bags full of shoes in the hopes that we could meet the needs of all the children.  We proceeded into the school and laid out the shoes with boys on one table and the girls shoes on the second.  Four small chairs were brought in from a classroom for the children to sit on.  The teacher and principal then walked around the classrooms to determined who and in what order the children would be selected. Diane, Tim and Juli would then take their shoes off, determine if the current shoes were the appropriate size or not and then we tried to find a pair that the child would like and was the correct fit.  Many times the children would say Grande as they are used to having shoes or boots that are too small. The children had washed their feet prior to the shoe distribution but many had washed with their shoes and socks still on, this made it a challenge to get wet feet into shoes with no socks.  

In most cases we were able to find a great match yet in other cases the shoes we gave out were too big or the wrong gender colour, none the less the kids accepted them because they were far better than what they already had.  In most cases the shoes or boots they were wearing had holes thru the sole and the heels were split to elongate the wear. Some of the shoes were brand new the children would do anything to get their foot into that shoe even if it was two sizes too small. There were two boys that were buddies who were able to walk away with matching high top basketball shoes and their excitement and gratitude had us all emotionally charged.

We wrapped up and put the remaining shoes away and headed out to the road where all the children followed.  We then dug in our bags for candy and proceeded to chuck it in the air watching the kids scramble desperately for their fix of sugar.  I wish that it was money that we could give but the excitement was unmeasurable as if it was. As were drove away in the back of the truck we continued to launch candy as the kids followed us as if they were in a marathon.

Once back at the school the sponsored school children presented “Thank you” songs in Spanish and English and the story of creation through song. The children and staff were so appreciative of the time, talent and enthusiasm we share with them this past week.

We had a very quick lunch of sandwiches, fruit and potato chips.  We quickly loaded up the bed, gifts and armoire for the presentation and dedication of the Build a Home Project.

Adopt a Home

We were delighted to finally complete our adopt a home construction and present the completed home to Claudia, Freddie, William and Grandma. Funds for the “Build a Home” came from Uxport Tools in Port Perry. The families’ tears showed their gratitude. Their eyes widened as we carried in a new bed and armoire.  We attempted to attach the metal bedsprings with the headboard and footboard. But a rock and muscle power helped the bed go together. Dianne and Cathy taught mom Claudia how to make a bed with sheets and blankets.  We said our goodbyes and came back to the “Centre of Hope”.

We presented clothing, shoes, and toys to the family. Diane presented a homemade knitted square blanket to the family. Claudia mom was really overwhelmed with gratitude. This was the biggest gesture she has every experienced as she grew up in an orphanage.  Claudia is six months pregnant and was presented with a baby blanket and clothes with an angel teddy bear. We did a dedication with a prayer and blessing for the house. After a group photo we said our goodbyes and came back to the “Centre of Hope”.

Corrales Food, Clothing, Shoe Distribution

As we arrived back, 24 families from Corrales were waiting for us to distribute food, clothes and shoes. We offered a teaching on “Peace” to the women, and the God’s Eye Craft for the children.  Each child received a stuffed animal, while moms picked two pairs of shoes, three pairs of clothing, one pair of socks, and one hat.  Tim made sure that each woman received a freshly picked rose. This was a special time for Doug who met with up with his sponsored little girl Alba, who is from Corrales and received her gift package. Doug’s adopted sponsored girl was from the 2013 “Build A Home” project.

Presentation of Unsponsored Children

No sooner did they leave, when our next group arrived.  This new group consisted of 16 unsponsored children who are registered to begin kindergarten in January at the “Centre of Hope”.  We welcomed them and called each student by name to take their measurements for a school uniform, so our sewing team back home in Greenbank can begin to sew their uniforms prior to January school start.  Once measured, moms and dads went through the clothing and shoe distribution where they received two pairs of shoes, four pieces of clothes, a hat, a buff, pair of socks, a hygiene kit and a rose. 

We played parachute games with the children.  They had never seen a parachute before. These families are hoping that their child will be sponsored to allow them to attend school in January. Sponsorship for a child is $50 a month which allows them to a receive a Christian education, bus transportation, breakfast every morning, oral hygiene lessons, two uniforms, running shoes, a school backpack, school supplies, daily English lessons and a monthly food hamper.

After we cleaned up we enjoyed the market place crafts the various co-op groups had made. Our team purchased some of their wares.

After our lovely team dinner, we presented Carmen (our cook) with some family gifts.  The team divided and some when into Parramos for some shopping and the rest re-sorted and repacked.

From Guatemala best wishes to the Reals from Seagrave as they embark upon their new journey to Warkworth.