Guatemala: #4

“…and saw a large crowd…”

From the Widow’s Pig Farm Project we moved onto another uplifting experience. This time we went to Colegio Martin Lutero (the Martin Luther School). We have been working with the school for quite a while and have provided a water system with a well, a pump and an elevated tank, as well as 4 toilets. The tank at the top feeds the toilets by gravity, so they were able to have flush toilets in the school. More recently, we funded a building project through the generosity of our donors — 2 classrooms, an administrative office, and a huge upstairs meeting hall where all of the students can gather together in assemblies. We have also paved the playground, so that the students can play more safely outside during recess and lunch.

When we arrived at the school, we were greeted by the tremendous sound of a very energetic and enthusiastic marching band. We were asked to walk through two flags that the children were holding up, almost like an honor guard. All along the walkway going to the building were hand-held signs thanking each of the pastors and Food For The Poor staff members individually. It was a very interesting and exciting experience. The energetic sound of the marching band spoke well for the passion of these young musicians.

We arrived at the area where we were to be seated for the inauguration ceremony. Again, this was done very formally. We were asked to process to our seats to the music of the marching band. Many people there spoke and expressed their appreciation not only to us, but also to those who had made the event possible. It was a very exciting time for the administrators of the school, because the school had very quickly almost doubled in size. There was entertainment, songs and dances, and people made beautiful speeches that really reflected God’s love.

After the ceremony, we headed back to Quetzaltenango where we formally checked in at Hotel Bonifaz, where we had had lunch earlier. Some of us had a chance to walk around before dinner in the beautiful town square. We enjoyed a delicious dinner at the hotel, and after dinner that night, we had a most insightful reflection meeting led by Pastor Dave Mueller.

Before breakfast on Friday at Hotel Bonifaz, Pastor Maack and I had a tour of the cathedral. I was able to point out some things to him, including Our Lady of Sorrows, who was actually my patroness in Cuba when I was going to the Jesuit school by that name in Santiago. The cathedral was truly a place of beauty and reverence. There were many people there quietly praying, even that early in the morning. We had breakfast at the hotel and then departed for the garbage dump of Quetzaltenango located in Lomas del Pinar.