Kemna'oj

Today I head to Escuela Kemna'oj first thing. I actually met 2 young ladies who are volunteering at the school this month and went on a van with them.  I was a little nervous riding up that mountain with a driver I didn't know and he actually looked really tired..which is probably why he took the turns so wide...I didn't scream though:))

As I approached the school I couldn't help but think it was April when I was last here and how much has changed since then.  It seems one of life's most important lessons always seem to insert itself in to my thoughts..live life to the fullest each and every day. This is not a dress rehearsal!!

When you enter the school you are in the all purpose room. It is very quiet, there are no children in this room at this time. There is a memorial to joe set up on a table with candles burning and a picture of him. This is where the children had a prayer service on Tuesday, which was the day of Joe's funeral. They sang You Are My Sunshine. They sang that to him at the school dedication.  They are so cute when they sing that in English.
I asked the principal Marielos, the Principal if I could speak to the children. She asked the teachers to bring the children to the all purpose room to meet with me. They lined up and listened intently as I told them that Joe loved them very much and had this school built for them so they could have a promising future. I told them that as Joe got sicker he was not communicating very much, however one of the last things he said to me, as he lay in his bed, was that everyday he would pray that the children of Guatemala had everything they needed. As these little faces looked back at me and listened intently I could only think of how much joy they brought to Joe's life, and he to theirs. They would always run up and hug him when he entered the school. each of them had touched the others lie so deeply.
From Houses to Homes has done alot of work in Santa Maria de Jesus. They have built the most homes here, the school and helped many families with supplying clothes, food and healthcare. Today they had a mass said at 10 AM for Joe in the church that is up by the market. Today was market day so it was very busy. The children and the teachers walked to the church for the mass. The kids walked in pairs holding hands. I was impressed at how quiet they were.

The church in SMDJ is a very old and beautiful church constructed from stone and concrete. There are many small vignettes of Jesus that are very dramatic. the altar is simply beautiful with a wall of statues, and many candles burning. I would like to say the fact the priest was wearing green was to honor Joe's Irish heritage but we all know that is not true. Another mass totally in spanish but I am able to follow it at this point. Church is interesting here; during the mass there were children running in and out from the outside playing hide and seek in the church, there was a little girl parading up and down the center aisle with a very cute smile, very proud of the fact that she was doing exactly what she wanted to. For some reason, it doesn't disturb me here. At the end of the mass some of the children placed candles at the altar for Joe.  When we exited the church there were many people outside who expressed their condolences with tears streaming down there cheeks. I believe this community feels a great loss. Many of the women were the students Mothers, dressed in their traditional Mayan garb which I happen to think is so beautiful. The colors are brilliant!!

We left SMDJ and returned to the office to get some work done. On Friday the volunteers complete the houses they are building that they started on Monday. They are building in Alotenango this week. There is a closing ceremony at the end. A plaque is put on every house that explains who built the house, who the house is dedicated to, and there is a number. Today, homes number 667,668,669, and 670 were completed.  Each group of volunteers dedicated the home to Joe, his work and the commitment that his work would continue. I said to Oscar, "I wonder how many homes will be built in Joe's memory?"  I accompanied Oscar to 2 of the closing ceremonies. They are very emotional, especially for first time volunteers. One of the women from the Seattle area was so moved by the experience she could not stop crying. It is not the first time I have witnessed that. As always many of them said that they will be back. If history proves to be true, like many before them, they will return.

I am looking forward to visiting the little girl I sponsor at the school tomorrow in Santa Maria. I enjoy visiting her family and then taking them shopping at the market. I find the whole experience interesting, as it is worlds away from the environment I live in.

Looking forward to Saturday, and some rest, relaxation and time with friends.