Day 1: Spanish Guitar

How did the idea to spend Christmas with the children in Guatemala come about? I'm sitting here in the airport in Texas, on a "fun" four hour layover recalling how this unexpected journey back to Guatemala began in June of this year (2014). I had just returned from a trip to Guatemala with Avila University. We had studied about the genocide which took place among the Mayan population and were privalaged to live among the Mayan families high in the Guatemalan mountains. Many of these Mayan families had endured terrible losses and buried their own family members including women and children. The trip was challenging, both physically and emotionally. But what made it all worth it to me was when we arrived to the first home we would be staying. I was very tired and began what seemed like a long walk to the house. I was hungry, sleepy, and the packs on my back and front were weighing on me as we found our way down the dirt road. Out of nowhere a young child, about 8 years old, ran toward me and asked if I needed help with my bags. I remember thinking, "kid, these bags are bigger than you" but I was taken by the child's willingness to help. What happened next made the rest of the trip an unforgettable memory. The child reached up and without even knowing me took my hand and held on to it until we arrived to the house. I could not recall the last time I had held a child's hand. In those minutes that followed while we walked to the child's home I realized that he was giving to me as much as I was giving to him. The child holding my hand broke a spell inside of me I had clung on to for a long time. 

I met many people in Guatemala. I was hoping to establish a good point of contact. I briefly met Aldo Lemos, a volunteer worker from Colombia working and using his talents among the needy Mayan populations. When I contacted Aldo and asked how he was doing he was quick to open up and soon we developed a friendship. Some time later he asked me if I was willing to help send him a "Spanish" guitar. One of Aldo's talents is that he is a phenomenal guitar player. After looking into shipping costs I realized it would cost me between $900-$1200 to ship the guitar to Guatemala from the US so I figured I may as well buy a plane ticket and deliver it myself. Since I was going to Guatemala, I told Aldo I wanted to climb the highest Volcano while I visited. Being an inexperienced climber I soon realized 14,000 ft above sea level was probably not a safe idea because of the risk I could develop high altitude sickness. Aldo suggested I should visit him in Sibinal instead, where he would show me his daily activities among the Mayan people. His suggestion led to the development of the idea to help the needy Mayan children of 

Sibinal have their first toy filled Christmas. I will never forget Aldo's comment when I suggested Christmas toys for the children. He said,"oh Franco, the children here and the surrounding villages have never owned a toy before; they play with rocks and sticks."

Since then, there has been a lot of work and planning to make this journey of hope a possibility. I'm grateful for all of your donations and willingness to trust me deliver these $1,200. Not only will the children receive Christmas toys, they will also get dental hygiene kits, food, clothes, and supplies for school. Because of your collaborations 250 plus children will have a very Merry Christmas.