Final Reflections / One-Way Tickets

In terms of material possessions, Carey and I are leaving Guatemala tomorrow with less than when we arrived. In terms of lessons learned, however, we return to the States richer than we could have ever imagined.

Most Important Lessons Learned:
1. It's all about family, friends and faith. The rest is just details.
2. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
3. When you know your neighbors, it's a lot easier to love them.
4. When you learn another's language, you acknowledge their worth.
5. All the "things" you really need can fit into two suitcases and a carry-on.
6. There is great joy in giving.
7. God is SO much bigger than we realized.
8. If given the opportunity to drive a chicken bus, take it!
9. Personal hygeine is overrated ; )
10. As a good life rule, beware of foods that start with "ch..." (especially chicharron, which is pig skin)

What We'll Miss Most:
1. Those who have become our Guatemalan family, especially Lety
2. Playing with children at the preschool
3. Greeting neighbors in the street
4. The generosity of those who have so little
5. Inexpensive fresh fruits and vegetables and inexpensive services (e.g., $2 haircuts and $15 computer repairs)
6. Joking around with the clinic staff (except the blank stares, of course, which usually followed Jay's attempts at humor in Spanish).

What We Won't Miss:
1. Roosters!
2. Bed bugs and mosquitoes
3. Fear of water (Did you disinfect that??!!)
4. Black beans and corn tortillas at every meal
5. Chicken bus fumes during the long commute to the clinic
6. "Fijase que..." (which always proceeded bad news)

U.S. To-Do List:
1. Hug our family and friends
2. Flush a whole roll of toilet paper (just because we can!)
3. Drink water straight from the faucet
4. Eat Tex-Mex until we're sick
5. Take a bath (Carey); continue to avoid bathing (Jay)
6. Go to Sonic between 2-4 p.m. to enjoy a happy hour Route 44 Cherry Limeade
7. Share our experiences with anyone who will listen

The Salud y Paz staff gave us a beautiful sendoff with hymns, heartfelt songs, and communion.
The "guardian" of the SYP clinic, Tomin, his wife, Micaela, and their son, Tomas

The preschool cook, Sebastiana, and teachers, Mary and Paulina

We both shared our appreciation for and love of those who make up Proyecto Salud y Paz

At the end of the service, Juan presented us with a beautiful, homemade wall hanging. And although they have so little, every single staff member gave us a gift. To say the least, their generosity was overwhelming.

One-Way Tickets

Every journey has to come to an end, and it now time for us to leave Guatemala. We fulfilled a life-long dream by learning Spanish and living and working in a developing country, leaving us with happy hearts and cherished memories. The lessons we learned here will forever influence the way we live our lives. It is for this reason that we have decided to make this country and its people the primary recipient of our giving for the rest of our lives.

To those of you who have supported us through your generous giving, encouraging words, and ongoing prayers, we are eternally grateful. We could not have done this work without you.

Dios les bendiga siempre (God bless you always).

Salud y Paz,

Jay & Carey

Mi Casa Es Su Casa

Carey and I were recently invited into the home of our friend Sebastiana, who works as the cook at the preschool. She is one of the hardest-working and nicest people we have met here. If she lived in the States, we are convinced that she would be the C.E.O. of a major company. In order to support her family (husband and five kids) AND finish school (she went back to get her degree and is currently in the 4th grade), Sebastiana wakes up at 4:30 a.m. each day to travel an hour and a half to get to the school. And get this - she had us over for lunch last Saturday to thank US for our work with the project.

Carey and I were so impressed that Sebastiana was willing to invite us over despite her family's poverty. It was humbling to be in her house and receive such hospitality. I can't imagine how much it cost them to buy so many drinks and cook so much food for us. We initially tried to explain to her the week before that we are vegetarians - but I guess it was lost in translation. Carey wanted so much to make a good impression that she ate BEEF for the first time in 10 years! From here on she will be known as Carney.

Sebastiana also gave both of us purses (mine is more of a European carry-all). Her acts of generosity were extremely inspiring to us. How can someone with so little give so much? Hmmm....

Passing of the Torches:
It's official: Carey's replacement Janet has arrived and is the NEW Susana Wesley Preschool Director!
It's also clear that Jay is extremely happy to pass the sacred team folder (and all the duties that go with it) to his successor Wayne. Wayne is with his first team today and no doubt will learn the ropes fast.

The biggest reason it's easy for us to leave next week is because we know we have really incredible people filling our shoes here. Best of luck and vaya con Dios, Wayne and Janet!
Peace,
Jay