Profound Faith

We have been here for a few days now. The differences between San Lucas Toliman and Kenya are becoming clearer as we get closer to these people. Our trip to Kenya left us with a strong sense of the overwhelming sense of desperation which could be found around every corner, on every street. Aids, Leprosy, pieces of sheet metal strapped together and considered a decent "house", most feet shoeless......true poverty. Here though, while certainly the absence of aids and leprosy is an improvement, there was still something quite different. The quality of "housing" does seem to be a step or two above Kenya. But what now seems to be the most significant defining aspect to this culture is their deep seated, profound faith in the Church and their Catholic faith. The Church was present in Kenya, but there it often was much more a source of food and care. Not to say they weren't believers, but was it a true faith or one of dependence for survival? Hopefully the former, but likely often the latter. No strangers to poverty themselves, these humble and loving Guatemalans are true believers. Their Masses are overflowing. The Church does provide services, but the people support the Church. Their lives are centered around their faith and their adherence to the "love thy neighbor" mantra seems endless. We have been told more than once that "Americans work too hard!". Hard working people as well, and much of it manual labor with little automation, they do seem very committed to family life and a vibrant work/life balance. They may never contribute with any significance to the world's technological or industrial advances, but there is a calmness, a peaceful tranquility that permeates the culture on a daily basis. "Happy" is a descriptive we often attribute to our new friends. A very nice Sunday. Restful. Good thing since the workweek starts for us again tomorrow. :)

Sorry for the disconnected photos below, but we are still trying to get the hang of this blog format. Most go with the text above, but the others are of some of our new four-legged friends, an almost finished women's center, and a much needed water well still being constructed. Estos fotos estan por su placer......