Headed to Michigan

I won't make this too long since we are out of Guatemala so our trip is definitely not as cool any more. We barely made the train to Michigan city because we got a bit turned around when we got off of the blue line train. But here we are and everything is all good.
I am sure I will process the trip even more as the days and weeks pass but what I can say right now is that it was a great trip. W had a great group of students who are interested in changing the world and I think this trip helped to motivate/inspire them.
At this point I definitely want to return to Huehue, but I am not sure when. I will keep you all posted!

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USA

We are in Chicago!!! Plane just landed!!! We shall see everyone tomorrow!

Rob Bradford

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Mexico City

The Mexico city airport is pretty cool but we learned todY te Guatemala city airport is slightly nicer. Definitely more food options in Guatemala. The group is still considerably happy and excited but very ready to be home because it has already been along day.
We stopped at three craft markets on the way to guatemala City from Huehue. There was a lot o cool stuff and it was a lot of fun to see different markets closer to Guatemala City. Most of us were done shopping so we did a lot of looking, but it was still fun!! The ride of course was still bumpy and curvy and the true Guatemalan experience. No one threw up this time while in the van but a few people were close. My van mostly slept and sang showtunes!!! We stopped and ate lunch at a "rest stop" with a nice overlook of the big city! When we got the airport things went rather smoothly. I went up to the ticket counter first and did my best to communicate in Spanish I did ok and collected the passports, luggage and info sheets of our whole team. When I brought them back to the lady she said, "thank you". I looked at her and said, "Habla ingles?". She just laughed and said "yes, but I was enjoying your Spanglish!!".
The flight was easy and now we are in Mexico City awaiting our flight at gate 27. Short scare when Brendan was pulled aside and questioned for ten minutes alone because they would not let me go back there. But it was no big deal and Brendan was not shaken at all! All of us miss Edwin and Gail a great deal and hope to return to Huehue ministries sometime soon. As we sit at Gate 27 I am watching Bri, Maeven, Nate, Lauren, and George play Egyptian Ratscrew. Kelsey, Emily, Olivia, Neal, Hillary, Brendan, Kaylin and Mohammed are munching on snacks and I have no idea where Deb and Rick are. Probably snuck away to snuggle!!
We will be back soon and in the states in about five hours!! Keep praying as we still have a long trip today and tomorrow!

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Up and at em!!

Awake at 3:30am and getting ready yo leave Huehue for Guatemala City. Seven hour drive here we come! The trip has been amazing! Thanks to all for your support and prayers!!!

Rob Bradford

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Last day in Huehue

So, we had a semi full day today. We woke up and did not have to rush around. We ended up eating ad some people went back of the center of town. Most of us got caught in the middle of a parade. It was huge. There were little kids in cute costumes everywhere. Plus there were a lot of instruments and bands and such. It was really cool.
After that we loaded up the van and truck and drove up the mountain about 11,000 feet above sea level. We were dropping off about 9 sheep to the community. Edwin gives sheep to various community members and then collects the droppings from the sheep and uses them for fertilizer. He believes it is great because he is helping the various community members while also getting fertilizer for the coffee plantation. His hope is that more people will buy into this project and help purchase sheep for community members, similar to the Heifer Project. The people were so happy to receive the sheep. I know it will improve their lives immensely and it is a great project to start here in Guatemala.
Afterwards we went to see some Mayan Ruins. It was fun to walk all over and around the ruins. We saw a few temples and even the spot where the Mayans played sports. Everyone climbed all over the place. After the ruins we stopped at weaving warehouse and just about everyone bought a blanket. They were immaculate and extreme beautiful. Luckily we all got out of the vans and went into the warehouse. At first we thought we were being led to our slaughter, but it was just blankets. No machetes!!
We got home and had dinner and the ran off and got ice cream(thank you Bloomquists!!!!). The ice cream was fantastic and a great ending to an amazing week! Now we are just cleaning up and packing and getting ready to do our final devotions. Early morning for our departure tmrw. Keep our group in your prayers all day Saturday because we will leave Huehue around 4am and will not be in Ohare until 1am!

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Back in Huehue

We made it back to Huehue this afternoon with no problems. The roads were fairly clear and the driving was smooth. Halfway back we stopped at a really cool suspension bridge and ate lunch. Most everyone walked out onto the suspension bridge. Even those of us scared of heights like Bri, Kelsey and I. Again, this is something I could describe to you but it won't give it justice. You will just have to ask the students to see the pictures.
When we got back to Huehue we changed into our swimsuits and got back into the trucks to drive an hour to a Place where they have hot springs. The drive was not the best but most of us made it fun. It was raining horribly and we were all getting soaked. Bri, Hilary and myself almost lost the tarp at one point, but we grabbed it at the last minute.
When we got to the hot springs most if us were a little shocked by what we saw, but once in the "pool" it was amazing and exactly what we all needed. It was so hot and we had not had any hot water in the last three days. We lounged in the springs for about an hour or so completely relaxed and hung out. Near the end of our time a white woman walked up to us and started talking to us in English. She told us she was working for the Peacecorps and had just gotten to Guatemala. She is finishing up her last year here. It was cool seeing and talking to an American because she was our first non-group member we had seen and talked to fro the states.
Tomorrow we are going to visit a sheep farmer and learn about what is going with all of that and how it is helping the economy, his families economics and the coffee farm in Agua Dulce. After that we will go to the Mayan Ruins and see a cool part of history.

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Tomorrow morning

Tomorrow morning we leave Agua Dulce and head back to Huehue. We have definitely made some good connections in Agua Dulce. The farmers and their families all seem really cool and down to earth. Our group has again been doing an excellent job of stepping out of their comfort zone and reaching out to the people of this community, especially the young children.
We are all kind of in chill mode at this time since we are done working. The rest of our trip will be more focused on understanding and learning about Guatemalan culture.
Edwin is really doing an excellent job here in Guatemala. As a host and also as a missionary here. There are a lot o great things happening in Huehue and Agau Dulce on account of Edwin and his ministry here.
I should warn you all that our group is consistently asking me if we can come back here next year. The jury is still out on this one but it is definitely a thought. The idea of focusing on one or two places(Guatemala and Colcord, WV) is very appealing to me. That way we can build relationships in two communities and continue to see the progress of the two areas and all that they are doing. This is definitely worth thinking about and praying about in the upcoming year!!

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