Some closing thoughts on our trip

This trip was a blessing. We met so many people, who were such a joy and blessing to spend time with. Working with the people at Mayan Families was great. They showed us how to install the stoves and were great about telling us a little about each family. They also told us about the many different programs that Mayan Families has to help give a hand up to the people of the Highland area of Guatemala. We met so many families. It is amazing to see so many who have very little, yet they are happy in the life they have. Makes all the things we consider problems meaningless and trivial.
Larry and I want to again thank all of you for your prayers and support in the planning and during our trip. It has meant a lot to us to have the support of our friends, family and church family, with this project.
We also want to thank Patti, Julio, Carlos, Rudolfo, Juan, Fernanado, and all of Mayan Families for letting us come and work with them on installing the stoves. It was a rewarding experience that we won't soon forget.
We pray that this is a trip we will be able to take again in the future.
Lastly, I just want to leave you with some photos of the beautiful Lake Atitlan, lake of 3 volcanos. Enjoy them, though the pictures do not do the view justice. It is so much more beautiful being there to see it in person.

Our day at Mayan Families/Sharon's

Our our last day in Panajachel, we spent the morning at Mayan Families. The staff was very informative about all the work they do to provide a hand up to the Mayan families they work with.

This is another family, who

was there, giving out shoes

they had collected.

These are some of the women

and children who came to

Mayan Families

on this day.

This woman found some shoes.

This mom found a pair of shoes for
her baby. Shoes we took, thanks
to the donation someone made
to our church and Shelly P.





They are starting to hand out
some of the children's clothing and blankets.




Still handing out children's
clothing.

They have put some things out

on the table for the women

to look through and find things in

sizes they need.

Daniel is hanging out

and watching the activity.

Another photo of the women

looking through the clothing.

Here you can see some of the staff

the one in the photo next to Daniel,

was talking with some of the women.

The last 2 stoves installed.

Sorry there is only a photo of the completed installation. While we did do some of the work, we were also talking with the family and others who came and wanted to talk with us about there concerns and needs. This was outside an apartment in Panajachel.

The completed installation, the family

and us.

This was the last home. They are taking down the
wooden frame work and metal
laminae, where the family
cooked.


making the hole in the laminae
for the stove pipe.

This is the family who received the stove.

Our second day of work

this is where the family

cooked their food.

They are working

on placing the stove pipe.

The finished stove, with

the family and us.

Sorry there aren't more photos of the installation. I was helping with the placing of the blocks, and actual construction, so wasn't able to take photos.

We had to hand the materials

from person to person

to get this one installed.

3 people in this kitchen room

was crowded.

Here is the finished installation

with the woman in the house

and us.

Some children playing soccer

in front of the church,

after school.

This is the school in Tierra Linda.



They have a new preschool here.
There is still work to be done
to finish the building.



Standing on top of the
community center
at Tierra Linda.



This is the community center
that Mayan Families has built
with the help of many volunteers
and donations.

Sorry it has taken me so long to add more photos. It has taken me a few days to recover from our long day of travel on Tuesday.

Here they are constructing the base of the

stove and beginning on the actual

stove parts.

Larry is on the roof, making the hole in the

laminae for the stove pipe.

This is the family with the completed

stove

Walking to through San George

to the next home.