Monday

This morning we had our last Mass with the kids at the Dreamer Center. It was powerful. During Fr. Shea's homily he said that this was our last Mass. The kids let out sighs of disappointment. The boy next to me worked hard during the Mass to tie a friendship bracelet around my wrist despite my efforts to get him to pay attention to the altar. He stole my hat and asked me to take a picture of the two of us together:

After Mass we boarded two smaller vans for the ride to San Juan Sacatepequez. The ride was long and nauseating. The ever-present diesel exhaust combined with the constant curves on the road made me uncomfortable. We were all happy to get off.

The malnutrition center cares for children who are malnourished until they are well enough to be returned home to their families or placed in some other form of care. I was told that about 150 kids were living at the facility.

First, I went and played with the toddlers. Most of the kids were occupied with my fellow pilgrims, laughing and smiling. But I approached a girl with sad eyes . Despite my efforts to make her happy, she refused to smile and continued to look off into space. It was heartbreaking. Throughout the day, three of us pilgrims worked on this little girl. Eventually she laughed and smiled when playing with Andrea, one of the chaperones. But sadly, our stay was temporary and I fear that little girl is sitting there again today, staring sadly into space. It was much easier to make the infants smile and laugh.

One thing that really surprised many of us was how small these kids are. Ten year old kids look more like five year old kids ... a testament to their malnourished state, I suppose.

At one point, I let one of the kids take my camera around and snap some photos. He took a picture of his friend that turned out quite well: .

Here is a photo of Lindsay feeding one of the infants:
The cribs for the babies:

We enjoyed our visit with the kids, short as it was. I hope this visit did some good despite its brevity. This was by far the most powerful experience on the trip.

Once back in Antigua, we got a ride to the cross that overlooks the city . Once there we snapped group photos . My guide book said this area was unsafe for tourists traveling alone. But when we arrived, there were several police present in the park surrounding the cross. We had no problems, but crime must be a serious issue here.

Also present in the park were wild dogs, looking not too healthy. Workers were also there, using machetes to mow the lawn - one of many ways I've seen tasks accomplished in labor intensive ways here.

We ended our night with a dinner at the Dreamer Center and a closing ceremony in the chapel . The closing ceremony had many of my fellow pilgrims in tears. I felt a little like an outsider, which I suppose I am. The kids are all fellow students at the same high school. It was evident that this trip broke down the cliques and let them see each other for who they truly are. They got to know one another in more intimate ways and forged new friendships. I just pray this trip had lasting effects for them.

Tomorrow we board our plane in Guatemala City and head home. I'm anxious to be back home, but sad to leave such wonderful people behind.