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Here's the final entry.

Jan. 4th Tuesday

We left at 5:30 with Ruben.  The roads are pretty dangerous in the daytime. They are sand and there are sheer drop offs.  In the dark it was even more so. At least I couldn't see the drop offs.  We got to Xela and dropped off Heather and Jeff because they were on their way to take a 3-week trip up through northern Guatemala and into Mexico.  We dropped them off at the chicken buses that Jeff called the bus stop, aka dump.  It really did look like a dump with piles of debris burning in between the buses.  After dropping them off we headed to our bus stop and headed back to Guatemala City.  The bus was really not too bad and the ride went fairly quickly.  We got back to the office in early afternoon.  Seth headed to zone 1 to see a movie and Ruth and I worked on Sharing the Dream projects.  It was a late night but we got a lot done.  I also did some packing.

Jan. 5th Wednesday

We got up and had a typical Guatemalan breakfast with Ruth's family.  Seth really wanted one of these before he left.  We had eggs, beans, fried platinoes and tortillas.  After this we went and met Sister Liz and Sister Joanna and picked up some t-shirts that some of the people in their village had made.  We had a very nice chat with them.  They are so interesting.. In the afternoon Virginia Scott came to the office.  We hire her once in awhile to do some design work with some of the groups.  We met for most of the afternoon and then Ruth and I met again.

Jan. 6th Thursday

An early morning day.  Seth and I flew home to very cold weather.  We arrived in Omaha and had to actually hammer the ice off the windshield. Sure did miss the great weather in Guatemala.

Feb. 6th 2005

Now that I have been home for a month I can reflect on our time in Guatemala.  It was a wonderful experience to be there with Ed and all of our children.  It was very special for us to meet Miguel's family.  We now have family photos that include about 20 more people.  What a wonderful Christmas we had...spending time with Chonita and her family and serving the elders their Christmas dinner will be something that we never forget.  We have learned so much from our friends and family in Guatemala.  We received a wonderful card from our friends John and Kaye it sums up my feelings.

"The world in which you were born is just one model of reality.  Other cultures are not failed attempts at being you.  They are unique manifestations of the human spirit."    Wade Davis

Ed wrote a wonderful poem while we were in Guatemala that I would like to share.

It is dedicated to Chonita Mendoza of Santiago Atitlan and Pastor Diego Chicoj of Chichicatenango and their families, who lived through the hell of Guatemala's war.  Then rather than seek revenge, have given their lives to helping some of the most wounded to live again.

GENTLE WARRIORS

Gentle mountains, filled with lava, reaching high into the sky
You tell me stories of the wartime, but can you tell me why?

Gentle land of dark-skinned people wearing clothes of many colors
Convincing northern pilgrims that you consider us all brothers

Gentle people, forged in fire and then hammered on an anvil
Being gentle is not weakness; you are tough with fierce will

Because your gentleness is chosen as the way to spend your life
And not be lowered to the hatred that has killed and induced strife

You are warriors of compassion, battle hardened to the core
Courageous and unflinching, you have sided with the poor

You are conquerors, mentors to the entire human race
And faith has moved some mighty mountains by your acts of quiet grace

Gentle warriors, lend your courage to the likes of me and mine
So that we can be connected. One more branch on Jesus' vine.




Hope you all enjoyed the journals.  Adios until next time.

Diane