Amusing Moments, Fun Faces, Places and Flora

Onecimo and Eleazar engaged in friendly hand to hand combat. 

Restorative Care in Guatemala

Humanitarian work can be emotionally, spiritually and physically draining. On this blog, readers will get a "behind the scenes" glimpse into how we decompress before, during, and after a tough day's work. 

I will also share some of my favorite pictures of wildlife, children, and families. We hope you enjoy and appreciate how simple things in life, such as arm wrestling competition (or like the day Aldo thought he was a ninja), can help our team deal in healthy ways with the traumatic stories and circumstances we hear and see everyday.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Flowers

Photographed by: Franco

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Amusing Short Videos

Filmed by: Franco

LANDSLIDE

In the video above, our humanitarian team had planned an early morning to visit a waterfall in a place called San Pablo. It had been consistently raining for about a week, plus there had been a minor 5.2 magnitude earthquake. We came upon this landslide and were forced to turn back. Before that, we decided to get out and explore to see if there was a way around the rocks. That's when we heard more rocks tumbling down the side of the dark mountain. We ran towards the car and got out as fast as we could. 

APICULTURE

A few years ago, I found out I was allergic to insect stings after I was stung by an ant. My throat began to swell until I was felt gasping for air (anaphylactic shock). Taking this short, adrenaline stimulating video and knowing I could die at 11,500 ft in the Guatemalan mountains was definitely a highlight for me. 

CHILDREN

I was terribly exhausted this particular day. One of those days where I ask myself, "What the hell are you doing up here in the middle of now where?" Well, I received an answer shortly thereafter. 

CORN ON THE COB

Post reflection moments such as these are important for both teams, especially while enjoying recently harvested corn on the cob. This is a safe place where we can talk about any topic such as religion, politics, western ideology, immigration, and Mayan culture. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Funny (Or Not) Memorable Team Pictures

Photographed by: Collaborative Efforts

Vampires in the Guatemalan jungle. 

Courtesy umbrella for King Amado.

NOT cool Yisban!!

Team BBQ in Canjula Park. 

Round 1. FIGHT!!

Letting out a little road rage. 

That's a HUGE... Corn.

Two thumbs up when I asked Eleazar if he liked Emily.

That time Emily wished she was in Sibinal to eat bread at her favorite place and she wasn't.

Strange looking piece of firewood.

The time I had to explain to Aldo my definition of friends...

The time Aldo bought a second hand sweater which turned out to be...

....a Freddy Krueger Halloween costume.

When I tickled Don Alberto and his wife so they could smile for the camera. 

The time Fely twisted her ankle TWICE in one day. 

The day we celebrated four years of humanitarian work. 


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Faces of Sibinal

Photographed by: Franco