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Dear Friends:
I'm back from my 12 day trip to Guatemala during which I experienced for the Foundation & all of its donors, an outpouring of gratitude from people everywhere for the LIFE SAVING & ENHANCING projects we have sponsored during our 50 year effort. A number of the now elderly women embraced me and wouldn't let go as they shed tears of love and gratitude!
A few tears were noticed with many of the men too, a bit rare for the indigenous culture.
I will begin reporting briefly on each event, some with YouTube videos, others with photo/essays. You of course can choose to see those of your choice. They are:
1. Arrival at Chepina's place & Friday, May 20: A Special Program with Municipal & Education leaders/teachers in Santa Cruz Verapz, with folklore performances & of course speeches and a typical lunch.
2. A Special Visits with key persons in our 50 year history in Guatemala, first, Maria del Carmen Bol, then with Carlos Yat Valdez, who came with his family in the beginning when 12 years old and went on to eventually be the manager of the Valparasio Plantation at the end, then, a visit & lunch with my daughter-in-law--Diana's father, Edgar Pacay, Coban, & daughter, Isis Maria, and last of all a visit with friends of the Arias family--father & sons. Of special mention at two of the events below, reuniting with Miguel Max, perhaps the most key partner at Valparaiso--the first native resident to be Manager, plus President of the Cooperative and counselor in LDS District Presidency.
3. May 22, The Coban International Half Marathon with 15,000 runners & more than 100,000 spectators. A short report with pictures is on my website now: Scroll to end of the post
4. Sunday, May 22, a Special lunch sponsored by the girls we helped survive the Guerrilla War, by taking them to study in Guatemala City--1982-84. This of course included now their spouses, children, and even grandchildren--At the home of Olivia & Crisanto Chiquin.
5. Monday, May 23rd: Special festivity at the Valparaiso School & typical lunch.
6. Monday, May 23rd: Special activity in the Valparaiso Comunal hall & lunch.
7. Monday, May 23rd: Tour of the new Valparaiso Plantation, & cutting the ribbon to begin sales of Milk Products Valparaiso at the Mall in Coban.
8. Tuesday, May 24th: Trip to hot country 90 minutes north of Coban & tour of the cattle ranch of Miguel Angel Ortiz,
9. Wednesday, May 25th: Special activity at the Santa Elena Village School in rural Santa Cruz Veracruz.
10. Wednesday, May 25th: Special activity at the Chicoyoj Village School & lunch at home we built for 3 orphan children.
11. Chance meeting on the bus from Coban to Guatemala City, dear friend & Indian Queen, Marta Elena Hun, and her mother, the first meeting in 29 years!
11. Chance meeting on the bus from Coban to Guatemala City, dear friend & Indian Queen, Marta Elena Hun, and her mother, the first meeting in 29 years!
12. Friday, May 27th: In the Highlands, Patzicia, a special activity at the Ariel & Ines Andersen Chuluc Village School & visit with Don Maximo's home
13. Special visits with other key people in our history: Florencia & Gonzalo Cujcuj & children, Shirley & Tanya, plus grandchildren. For 14 years Florencia was first in charge of the School at Valparaiso & then the Superintendant of the Central House.
Then visit with Carmela Choc, one-time student & Daniel Choc's sister, who saved my daughter Marcia "Nita" from drowning. Also in the visit was her husband, Joel Ordonez, and children & grandchildren. Last of all on Sunday night, May 29th a visit with two dear friends and sisters, Yolanda & Silvia Tobar, not seen in 22 years &.
NOTE: I have a big chore before beginning my High Uintas Wilderness Project for the summer, and hope to have the first item up on the website by tomorrow evening (Monday, June 6). For a month or two this reporting will supplant the retelling of the Foundation's history, which we will get back to mainly by making available newsletters.
PLEASE HELP US GET TO OUR GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY DATE WHICH IS AUGUST 19, 2017, DOING THE BEST WE CAN TO END ON A HIGH NOTE. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP.
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