Journey to Guatemala

I recently returned from a wonderful and challenging journey to Guatemala. I was there on business with Food for the Hungry, meeting with some different individuals and observing our developmental program efforts.

It was an encouraging time, but also challenging. I spent a few days in the capital city, but most of my time was spent in the rural area around Nebaj (about 7 hours from Guatemala City).

Wow, it was beautiful, intriguing, inspiring, and humbling all at the same time. Physical poverty and difficult living conditions were present in every community, but so were the signs of hope and progress.

Again, Rome wasn't built in a day.

Here are some other pictures of the journey:



A typical midday scene in this region. The intense Guatemala sun has burned off the morning fog and is warming the rugged terrain.

A family in the region of Nebaj

This guy is just enjoying a ride in the back of a FHI pick up. Gotta love truck surfing on the bumpy Guatemala expressway.


In one community we visited this bright turquoise schoolhouse (pictured above).

The teachers invited Rosie (FH/Guatemala staff), Amy (FH/Guatemala Int'l staff), and myself into the one room school to greet the children. In the room (10x15 ft), she was teaching children with ages ranging from 5-13. A very difficult task I must say. Resources were limited. There was a small dry eraser on one of the walls, but that was it.

However, in the past, this community had no primary. If parents wanted their child to attend primary school, they had to send them to a distant community.

Can you imagine sending a 6 year old out on the road to attend 1st grade?

This school, although meager by developed nation standards, is a huge step in the right direction. The turquoise color was a warm reminder of the hope that comes with education.

And this school doesn't teach the ABCs and 2+2=4, but they are also engaging the students with biblical teaching. Leadership is also a focus.

The future of this community is bright like the midday Guatemala sun.


Josh Kienzle

More to come about this trip!