Today is Monday, January 7. JoAnn, along with Peggy, Jean, Alex and Dawn went to San Antonio to see Nicolas and his family. We have supported a member of this family for the past 12 years through CFCA (Christian Foundation for Children & Aging). It started out as another beautiful day. The boat ride over was good also. We arrived about 9:00 a.m. For me, I was so excited to see them again, like visiting old friends you haven't seen for awhile. It was fun listening to Peggy, Jean, Alex & Dawn talk about what they were seeing for the first time. San Antonio sits on the lower part of a mountain and is steep all the way. No really flat areas. Houses are built into the mountain on terraced areas. When we were finally done climbing the first 300 steps we reached their home. It's a very humble home filled with much love. The family consists of a mother and father and 7 children. They live in a 2 bedroom home and have built a new kitchen building in the past 5 years. They were very proud of this. I always bring gifts for our family and did so again. The kids are getting a little older so I decided on a dominoes game. They had never heard of that game so the best way to teach them is to play with them! That was lots of fun and we had many, many laughs. Luciano, the father, was unable to join us this time for he had to be away helping his relatives after their father passed away. For the first time we were able to get a tour of their community. We first went to their church, then to a ceramic business and finally to see a large loom that is used to make the traditional clothing and other items that they can sell. We definitely got our work out today! We guessed we went up and down and walked at least 1200 plus steps and many many feet of slanted areas. NOTHING is level! In the home Marcelina, the mother, and Sandra, the daughter, have a loom where they make scarves, head wraps and friendship bracelets. They are such giving people and loving people and have nothing but give so much. All of us went home with new scarves and bracelets. They were just beautiful! It is so hard to explain in words the feelings you have when you are with them. Their smiles brighten the room without needing a light, their faith penetrates through you and you can feel their trust and believe in their ever loving God that they will be provided for. I'm sure their simple has many trials, but the image they portray to us is loving, kind and humble. My trips to Guatemala have always sent me home with a different heart and this trip hasn't been any different. Seeing my dear friends from miles and miles across the way again will be held in my heart until I see them again. If you have ever questioned sponsoring a child or an aging person, the CFCA program is amazing and love it when they get to meet their sponsors. It's a beautiful connection that can never be lost.
In Peace,
JoAnn Blomme
No comments:
Post a Comment