After our trip up to Tikal we traveled to Rio Hondo (in the Zacapa region in Western Guatemala). After getting settled in to our rooms at Hotel Hawaii (no it was not a tropical paradise like the name would imply- rather it was quite the opposite and it was more like a paradise for cockroaches!) we went for dinner and met the families we would be building houses for. After a good nights rest they showed us where we would be working and we got at it right away. Our site was split up into the 4 small groups lead by the 4 leaders (Carolyn, Chris, Lindsay and Steve). Each small group got to build a house for a family. This was an experience our site and I had been waiting for. It was really hot in Rio Hondo but the families blessed us with their hospitality giving us many tasty snacks at break. We worked hard for 3 days building our new host families houses. And the families that we were building for hung out with us and help too. It was wonderful to get to know them and have shared experiences.
Then on the weekend we got to relax and do some really cool things. We had the opportunity to go to a water park called Valle Dorado. Some of the slides were painful on the backs but it was a great day for relaxing our bodies after the intensive labour of building houses. On Sunday a handful of us hiked up to a waterfall and did some swimming and cliff jumping. It was beautiful up there. On Monday work continued on the houses. The next 4 days were not as work-filled but we enjoyed our time with our small groups and the families. We spent our evenings hanging out at the local fair (we went on some really sketchy rides!), eating ice cream, lighting really cheap fireworks off, and just hanging out. It was a blessing for our group to give our time and labour to Habitat for Humanity and to the families so that they could live in a new house. And we were blessed too by the families gratitude, love and care for us. Thanks to Habitat for this experience.
Jeremy Enright.
The 4 Small Groups:
Carolina's Small Group
Kelly, Ethan, Jill, Elizabeth, Carolina, Emma, Rebecca and Darin.
Chris' Small Group
Heather, Mel, Joel, Chris, Kristine, Nic and Holly
Lindsay's Small Group
Lindsay, Christina, Shannon, Janine, Linda, Marisa, Jenna, Trevor and Jeremy.
Steve's Small Group
Jason, Kristin, Lindsay, Rachael, Kendra, Alida, Nikkita, Steve and Ashley.
The whole group together!
Oh good old Hotel Hawaii!
In the next couple of days there will be lots of photos of our time in Rio Hondo.
Carolina
1 comment:
Looks like a great mix of work and play...or is that play and work?
Great photos...wish I were there!!
Que Dios les bendiga!
Linda E(aka OT mom)
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