"G" - Our First Day in Paradise

For those of you who have ever done any international travel, the idea of a long distance flight in usually not well received.  Jet lag can get the best of the most seasoned traveller.  Somewhat surprisingly, when you travel due South staying in the same time zone, the wear on the system is not the same. 

Nancy, Wes, Ed and I left Olathe at 330AM and were joined at the airport by Cyndy Hopkins and her son - CL.  Cyndy is a Lt. Colonel in the Army and CL is one of the brightest young men I've ever met.  (Although he was a bit sleepy at this hour.)

CL and Cyndy

Guatemala is a beautiful country although like many of our neighbors to the South, it has had a tragic past.  The Civic war(s) ended in the mid-90s and a lot of progress has been made, but even as you enter the capital you are struck by the separation between those with wealth and power and those who are without.  If you want to learn more about Guatemala's history, you might want to visit http://www.martus.org/ .

Our first night in country has really been a treat.  Don Jorge made arrangements for us to spend the night at Seminario Teologico Centroamericano (SETECA) with our host Carl and Karen Martinsen.  Carl and Karen have committed themselves to the people of Guatemala for the past 36 years.  They serve SETECA and have trained thousands of men and women to serve the Lord and the needs of people throughout the Americas.  If you're interested in learning more, you might also want to visit their website at http://www.seteca.edu/  The seminary is open to all and provides a welcoming, safe enclave.

It's been a long day as you can imagine.  We're awaiting the arrival of our MNU contingent who will be arriving later this evening.  We'll be off to Lago de Atitlan early in the morning with a building sense of anticipation.  The clinic will be dedicated this week and Wes, Ed and Carl reported that the last support funding from Rotary International has been secured.

Carl Martinsen of Development and Communication at SETECA

On a lighter note, Cyndy, CL and I walked around the SETECA compound late in the afternoon and came across a street vendor selling fresh produce from the back of his old, beat-up Toyota pickup truck.  The fruits and vegetables were gorgous.  Huge carrots maybe two inches in diameter, squash, corn and berries galore.  Cyndy couldn't contain herself so we bought close to half  a pint of the largest, richest, juicest blackberries I've ever seen.  She and CL had a hardy snack.

Well, today's story could go on, but then what would we do for tomorrow?!

Paz