We started our day with our friends at Cabacitas de Algodon (Little House of Cottontops). The sun beamed down on the little courtyard where wrinkled faces told stories, joked, and even flirted a little. A bag full of reading glasses meant many of our friends could see again – or see for the first time. And we even danced a little. And we cried.
The sweet girls from Tesoro joined us at lunch, and then took us past city streets to dirt roads and the ravine, where families dig through garbage in the hopes of finding something of value. Generations have worked the dump like a farmer works a field. Children rarely attend school, and there is little food on the table. But Cesar and Carol, the couple that cares for the girls like their own family, see a brighter future for those children. For months, they have been sharing the Gospel, distributing food, and praying for the families. And they’ve done even more – they’ve been sitting with the children of the families and teaching them the fundamentals of reading and writing.
Now, the vision of hope is even stronger. On Tuesday, Cesar and Carol will open a school for the children just a short distance from the ravine. They have been accredited, so the children attending the school will receive a diploma. The older girls at Tesoro will assist in the teaching.
Today, we saw the faces of the children – and we saw the school. We delivered food. We prayed. And we cried.
We returned to Tesoro for a Valentine’s Day party with the girls – complete with photo booth, sweet treats, hearts and flowers, and lots of hugs. We received handmade cards and tender notes. We sang as the sun set over Chimaltenango. And we cried.
Everyone is now sleeping. Our bus departs early tomorrow morning for Guatemala City and the airport. It’s going to be filled with folks who have tasted true beauty and have seen the Gospel in action. It’s been a good and hard and blessed journey. There are stories to tell and pictures to share. Take the time to listen…
Thank you for joining us on our journey. Thank you for your prayers. And thank you for your encouraging words…
Blessings to you! Maybe you could join us on our next mission trip…
~Ronne and the Team


