Day #5

Our day has been full of delivering Christmas gifts.  We started in a village called Paso Del Credo, also known as "pig city," due to all the pigs that wonder around everywhere.  It is nothing to see them wandering in and out of houses.  This village is one of the dirtiest and poorest villages in Guatemala. Located in Chiquimula, we see a way of life that is absolutely heartbreaking.  They have a well that has been dug about 25 feet by hand.  The well is still not functional because they have no way to pump the water up to their homes.  Therefore, they continue to use the nearby river as their only source of water.  They bath, wash dishes, cook, and drink from the same place.

Paso Del Credo

This is how they drink their water from the 

river. That just dig a hole right next to the river 

and drink up.

Kids from the village 

Little baby girl down by the river with her mom.

It's not odd to see children, as young as 5 years old, working to take care of basic needs. 

This little girl carried this bucket of water,

 on her head, up this very steep hill, 

back to her home 

This is the hill she had to climb 

with the bucket on her head 

This little girl just collected the tiny fish they 

had caught in their fish trap! She came climbing up

with one of them in her mouth! 

After touring the village, we had all the children line up, by boys and girls, to receive their gifts! 

After all the gifts had been given out, a woman from the village began thanking us for not forgetting them. She told us this was the first Christmas that these kids had ever had gifts. Think about that! Our 

poorest people in America have been on the receiving end at Christmas time at least once, if not all of their life.  It's amazing how just one little Christmas bag has caused this village to be grateful that they were not forgotten. It is truly the biggest blessing to give to others.  

Our next stop was the village of Blancha. Here children lined the railroad tracks to see what was in store as our big, yellow school bus pulled up loaded with Christmas bags!  

Our last stop was the village of El Canal.  This was a fairly small village that ran along side a canal.  This water was very dirty, but that was still what they used for washing clothes and basic needs.  They only have access to fresh water every 8 days.  

Bath time 

I think back on past Christmas years and how much money is spent.  I remember how my mindset was gifts, gifts, gifts. Gifts for my kids, gifts for my family, gifts for teachers, gifts for friends, and even gifts for people I really don't even know that well. Always searching for the right gift, trying to balance not spending more on one than another. All the while saying the words, "Christmas is really not about the gifts....it's all about Jesus!"  I knew this to be true, but my focus and actions didn't show it.  This Christmas has been different than any other in my life.  It feels really good to take a year away from all the busyness and allow my actions to center on the One that Christmas is truly all about. I'm not in any way saying gifts are wrong.  I just know for me....I needed a real reflection of Christmas and I found that in the people of Guatemala.  All praise and glory to God who provided the way.  I feel I have been blessed more than anyone who we have served while here.