Day 2: Reframing

Franco: Early this morning, we began our trip up the Guatemalan mountains to our destination in Sibinal, San Marcos, Guatemala. Driving on winding roads covered in potholes and sudden road blocks makes for a very tiresome journey. However, the mountainous views, scenic Lake Atitlan, and lush farmland keeps our minds busy contemplating the beauty around us. 

Tomorrow, our team Project HELLO (US) and our sister team Generación Magníficat (Guatemala) will begin our labor of love for 15 families. We will be building homes, laying down concrete floors, placing aluminum roofs, carrying construction supplies to different families, buying sheep, and providing families with running water and electricity in their homes.

I feel a deep sense of gratitude to our donors in the US who have entrusted us with their money. Remember, 100 percent of all funds that were raised will be used toward the families. Our three team volunteers from the US, Diana, Olivia, and I have used our own personal funds to pay for all our travel, food, and lodging expenses. Thank you. 

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Olivia: 

As a social worker, I often find myself encouraging people to "reframe" their situations. In other words, encouraging people to view their situations from a different, often more positive and strengths-based, perspective. Today, as I slipped on and off into semi-conscious cat naps, fending off almost constant nausea from the careening nature of our drive, I found myself in need of a lot of "reframing." Tired, hungry, nauseous, and anxious Olivia isn't exactly the most positive of creatures. 

Thankfully, being in the presence of my incredible companions, amidst intensely beautiful landscapes, it's not difficult to reframe my mindset and remember exactly why I come back to Guatemala again and again. These trips bring me out of my small world and self-absorbed ruminations, and remind me that we, as people, are deeply connected - not just to each other - but to this Earth as well. 

I am deeply grateful to all of our donors and my supportive family and friends who have given me yet another opportunity to remember that there is so much more to this life than me, myself, and I.

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