The divisions and boundaries created by humans is a thought which constantly bombards my brain and feeds into my heart when I'm out here in the Guatemalan mountains working with the less fortunate. Why do I have a home, car, clothes, medical care, and most importantly, water and food? Why me and not my human brothers and sisters here in Guatemala?
The image above reaches deep into my head; an invisible hand squeezing and pumping thoughts and feelings from my brain down into my chest. I cannot change the world. One human being helping another human being. I can do that for today.
Today we laid concrete most of the day. Almost everything is done the old fashioned way as machines or any other type of equipment is scarce in Sibinal. The pictures you will see below are the family of the little girl in the picture above. The fathers name is Emiliano and the mothers name is Enilita. They are a family of five, Gustavo 15, Angelina 10, Paola 6, Kaeli 4, and baby Jessica being only 6 months old. I sat with the family in their tiny kitchen as Enilita prepared breakfast for her children and breastfed baby Jessica simultaneously. Mr Emiliano spoke about his severe stomach pain and inability to hold a job do to his illness. Mrs Enilita said she ran a small stand with some candy and chips which brought in about $1.25 every day. Mrs Enilita and Mr Emiliano were both gracious for the people in the US who had donated money for a concrete floor where their children could play instead of the dirt. Mr Emiliano was particularly kind and kept saying one day he hoped he could repay everyone who had helped donate money for his concrete floor. I told him his words would be payment enough as I was certain all the donors had freely given from their hearts. Thank you all. Enjoy the pictures of Mr Emiliano and Mrs Enilitas family and our work to improve their living conditions.
To end today's blog I would like to thank Rose's family, particularly Rose and her mother who took care of me as I became very ill this afternoon do to the high altitude, change in diet, or maybe just happenstance. Thank you for nurturing me back to health with your herbal teas, tamales, and chicken broth. Not one hospital on this earth could've treated me better than you and your family did. Thank you. Below are pictures of Rose and her family.
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