Day 8

Today we started our first full day of volunteering at the Mission with a breakfast with our fellow volunteers.  For our service project today, we helped build stoves in a smaller community outside of San Lucas.  To reach the community we once again rode in the back of pickup trucks.  Once we arrived at our location we split into two groups in order to be able to make two stoves.  The process of building the stoves began by sifting rocks out of sand, which was used to make the cement.  We made the cement by combining the cement mix with the sifted sand and water. This cement was then used with the concrete blocks and the previously sifted rocks to form the foundation of the stove.

We then headed back into San Lucas.  After stopping at the hotel, a group of us met up with a long term volunteer, Leah, and we went around to different shops.  Next, we ventured into the market place where the people of San Lucas go to purchase items for their homes.  From there we walked to the cemetery where we were able to observe the grave of Father Gregory.  He was a very influential member of the community and was essential in the foundation of the Mission. Since he passed away a year ago he has been greatly missed.

From there we went back to the Mission to enjoy another meal with everyone.  We look forward to continuing our work with the community tomorrow.

-Rachelle and Kayla

Day 7

This morning, we met at the Mission at 8 am to have breakfast before leaving with the Mission leaders to tour the different work sites in San Lucas Toliman. In order to travel to each site, we rode in the back of pickup trucks. 

We first stopped by the Women’s Center and learned about their different activities throughout the week, including bread making, weaving, and sewing. We then rode to the clinic and were given a tour of the different wards, including dental, pediatrics, surgery, pre- and post-op, and emergency. Next, we were given a tour of the reforestation project, which included the redistribution of native plants to the people of Guatemala. 

Finally, we were able to walk through the coffee co-op and learn about the different stages coffee beans are put through before it is bagged and sold. Following the tour, we returned to the Mission for a lunch of beef stew and rice. At 2 o’clock, we left to go back to the coffee co-op; our group sorted through the collected coffee beans as a part of quality assurance. Later, the sorted beans will be husked, toasted, and bagged for selling. To end our night, we once again returned to the Mission for dinner and now await what the leaders have in store for us tomorrow.

-Alexa and Christina

Day 6

Today we said goodbye to Xela. After breakfast, the group piled into a spacious bus and headed toward Tecpan to visit the Mayan ruins of Iximche, which means “Corn Tree”. We took a tour of the site with our guide, Alex, who was extremely knowledgeable about the life of the people that once lived in Iximche.

The interactive tour gave us a perspective of the social, political, and cultural aspects unique to the Mayan culture. Specifically, we learned how to properly climb stairs and enter buildings in such a way that would not disrespect the Sun, a god highly praised by the Mayans. We also were introduced to the idea of the duality of the Mayan culture as evidenced by their careful architectural planning. In one plaza, there were two opposing structures, one in honor of the Sun and the other in honor of the Moon. These symbolized light and dark, life and death, and good and bad. We all were able to absorb the culture and gain a better understanding of early Guatemalan life.

We left the ruins for a lunch break and then continued our journey to San Lucas Toliman. The ride was certainly one that any thrill seeker would have enjoyed. As we approached Lake Atitlan, the breathtaking view of the scenery offered a welcome distraction from the winding mountain roads. 

After our successful arrival and check-in at the Mission, we shared a dinner of chicken, potatoes, vegetables, and bread with another group of students from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Lauren, the volunteer coordinator of the Mission, gave us a brief orientation at the end of dinner. We learned what is expected of the group during our stay and were given information about what tomorrow has in store for us.  Stay tuned for our first day of action at the local Mission in San Lucas Toliman.

-Cassie and Matt