Greetings from Scituate!

We have arrived home safely last Saturday and have been slowly acclimating to life back here in the States. Our journey was smooth, and most of our travelers slept all the way home. Over the last several days, we have been catching up on news here and settling back into our routines. But there's a strong undercurrent from the experience - these students will never look at the world in the same way, and neither will I.

 As a teacher at Scituate High School, I have the distinct pleasure of seeing many Mir Pace volunteers (current and former) in the hallways and classrooms. Those who traveled to Tamahu in the past reminisce with those who have just returned. It's beautiful and inspiring to see everyone's face light up as they exchange stories and talk about how they already can't wait to go back. This year's trip was remarkable, and I consider it a tremendous honor to have been able to work with such wonderful individuals with a passion for helping others.

 On the journey home, those who managed to stay awake spent some time writing reflections on their experiences. Cliff and Jane started a list of lessons from Guatemala, and others added to it. I'd like to share it with you.

 The Things I Learned in Guatemala....
 -how to kill a cockroach and dispose of the body
 -how to enjoy being drenched in sweat and covered in dirt
 -how to wrestle and subdue 10 small children at once
 -ALWAYS start with the 'usted' form (formally addressing strangers)
-hills are brutal
-water = best friend
 -be happy with what you have -break in your hiking boots before!
-I love my family
-Go on a bug raid BEFORE you get into bed. Every night.
 -Sun hats are COOL.
-Chickens love cockroaches.
-Roosters are terrible at telling time.
-TURDUCKENS (ie, they exist)
-how to speak Spanish/effectively fake it
-Asian kids live in Tamahu too
-how to wash clothes
-what a marimba is
-how to make coffee with a water bottle and tea bag
-how to get kids to cooperate (with gum)
-I am pathetically out of shape
-wearing no makeup for a week IS possible
-zip up all of your belongings before someone else makes a home out of them
-dogs wait until I am sleeping to bark.

 While we are grateful, as always, for our own beds and for the comfort of family and friends, our hearts linger in Tamahu. This having been my third trip there with Mir Pace, I can say with sincerity that I look forward to each visit. Many, many thanks to Mir Pace for another remarkable experience with the people of Tamahu. Many thanks to Fr. Philippe for hosting us, making us laugh, and of course always seeking to help the poorest of the poor in Tamahu (you inspire us all). Many thanks to the students, for your hard work, compassion, patience and kindness. And even though it's a distinctly American value, we love that you showed up everywhere on time (especially at the airport). To the parents - we know you took a huge leap of faith in trusting that we would take care of your children. Many thanks from us and the people of Tamahu for your trust and generosity in lending out your children. They inspired us daily and even moved me to tears with their compassion and concern. Many thanks to John, Annette, Samantha, Ryan, and Janice for lending such guidance and experience to the trip. I hope your muscles have recovered from those intense hikes.

 And finally, thank you to Eileen, Mir Pace, and all the others who make this amazing opportunity possible.

Hola de Daisy, Isabel, Fiona, Kathryn, and Charlotte! We are leaving today in about in an hour and we all wish that we could stay longer. We´ve packed up our things, scrubbed our houses and much to the children´s chagrin said our goodbyes. It´s a beautiful day in the mountains, and Isabel is already crying because she doesn´t want to leave. (Just kidding, I hope). Last night we had a dance party with all the kids and some nice spanish music. It was the best send off anyone could have imagined. This trip has been such an awesome experience for all of us, and truly changed not only how we view the world but also how we live in it. As all of us are newbies, we are all so glad that we took the chance to travel to another culture and spend our April vacation in the service of others that really need our help. Though I can´t say I´ll miss freezing cold showers outside and the nightly spider raids before bed, I will miss the breakfast conversations of the heroic achievements (cockroach kills) and stories of Jill dancing in her sleep. I´m going to miss the friends I made here but I´ll always have the memories (and the thousands of pictures I took). Well, that´s all I have to say about that. See you on saturday!!!!! Love, Daisy, Isabel, Fiona, Kathryn and Charlotte

Last Full Day

Hello from Brendan! Today was the last full day in Tamahu. Some of us switched groups, and some went to the school. I was able to go on the farthest hike today. It was a great experience and we had a beautiful of the mountains the entire time. I was able to take a lot of pictures of the scenery. The houses are almost completely done. We all enjoyed the day and have really loved this entire experience. We all have pictures from throughout the week that everyone will be able to share with each other. Tomorrow morning we will be attending the mass led by Father Philippe. After breakfast we will be leaving Tamahu to go to the hotel in Guatemala City. We will see you all on Saturday evening!

HOLA

Hey from Lindsay Zappolo!! We^are having a great time her in Tamahu. Today was market day, and almost everyone bought something, whether it be the beautiful traditional skirts, or a simple handmade bracelet. The people are being very welcoming of us, always greeting us with a Buenas dias and a smile. They really appreciate all we do, and how hard we try to speak with them, play with the kids, and respect their culture. A few people were able to visit the school today, and a few more will go tomorrow. Four of us, including me, we able to go to Tactic, another nearby city, with Father to run some errans. It was great to see another area of Guatemala. Tomorrow, many will be returning to their sites to finish the concrete floors. Hope everyone at home is have a great week, and all of us cannot wait to see our friends and families again. Much love, Lindsay, and group

Hola from Shannon and Charlotte! Today group number one climbed up their mountain to finish putting the walls up on our house! We all found out that hitting things with hammers is really fun... a little too much fun. The family is really starting to warm up to us today especially when they saw we had gum for them. It was really hot but we managed to do it with help from our guide Roberto, who has a lot of patience for us Americans. The way back to our house we were bombarded with a lot of little children who really like to give hugs and take our gum. The kids are the best part of this trip.. they are all up to no good, but their mischevious smiles are too cute. I am having alot of fun, and secretly dont want to come home, sorry family.... Love Shannon :) Tamahu is a beautiful place was my first thought when we drove into the town late saturday night. My second was not to breathe in too deeply, for fear of what I would smell. These people really do need our help and we are trying our best to do so. Today group number 2 (first is the worst, second is the best, right?) finished putting the tin roof on the house and also created a monster out of the little boy by giving him a tennis ball which he promptly began throwing off the walls of the new house. Oops. The family was very shy but today they opened up a little bit more when we gave them handmade bracelets. We are settling into our routine here in town which much to my chagrin has given me time to realize that everything my parents suggested me to bring I actually needed. Who knew I would actually need underwear? Just kidding, Shannon made me write that. But really, sorry Mom and Dad about refusing the coban wrap, the purell, and the bandana, it turns out that you guys know more about packing then I do. Well, Shannon is rashing on me for how long this is so..... Adios! Te amo familia, Charlotte

Hey everyone, its Rebecca Clifford! We had an AWESOME day today! Our three groups went up into the mountains to begin building the houses and we got to meet the families who these houses are for. Everyone is super friendly here, especially the little kids who are so adorable! We had pasta for dinner and a birthday cake for Hannah. We are taking tons of pictures and videos of this beautiful place for you all back home! We love you and miss you!

Hey everyone its hannah smalls and this is our first full day in Tamahu! It was a long voyage and we have lots of work ahead of us but i cant wait! I miss you so much mom and i hope you can see this. See everyone in the states in a week! Its sunny and 80 and im 18 and i couldn^t ask for a better place than Guatemala Peace and Love Hannah

They're On Their Way

After many months of tireless but very energized meetings and fundraising efforts, and after a bit of a "New England" weather delay, our teen volunteers are now in flight and on their way to Tamahú, Guatemala!  The flight is now scheduled to arrive at 1:00pm into Guatemala, and they are sure to be pretty tuckered out by the time they arrive into Tamahú later this evening, so I'm thinking we can begin enjoying their posts tomorrow (Sunday).  I can't wait to follow their journey!