January 4, 2016 Autumn Weis

Hola from Eagle’s Nest!

Aside from the day to day events that take place here, (which in and of themselves are worthy to be called extreme adventures), there are also sporadic moments that lend the team members with a more in depth of the world, outside of the fully loaded project outline. This may include taking a group to walk into town to go grocery shopping in preparation for a special Sabbath breakfast, or in search of specific project supplies such as spray paint for art class.

Today however, a few of us got the chance to get a close look at what reality means to so many people here in the rural part of Guatemala. With the Eagle’s Nest director, Pedro and two of his associates, Caroline, Nicole and I went walked downhill and uphill and downhill again to visit and chat with various local farm families. We walked through the beautiful plots of green onions, beets, and potatoes, scaled and descended some pretty treacherous paths, balanced our way across various rickety plank wood bridges, and ventured into the heart of what real life means to these people.

We came bearing dozens of lollipops to distribute amongst the village children as we passed by. Each child was happy to receive the sweets, not grabbing out for any more than we gave them. Each family graciously invited us into their home. Hugs and cheek kisses were given, and then we would make our way through the labyrinth of shacks, cement stairs without rails, farm animals, and precariously placed hanging clothes. Yet when we reached our destination in each abode, the families never hesitated to find enough chairs so we could all rest and chat a while. We were complete strangers, but they took us in as welcome guests.

As most westerners would see it, these people have nothing of much value. The floor between parts of each scattered dwelling consists mostly of dirt. Inhabitants of these homes include some wandering chickens, squawking turkeys, intimidating scruffy looking guard dogs, and numerous insects- especially flies.  Pedro told us that 100 pounds of these people’s produce would sell for the equivalent of about 30 US dollars. And truly their farms are not very large.

But what these people do have that is valuable above so much else is family. In one home, an older couple has six daughters, all of them that have become productive members of their society in spite of not having any brothers to help them out. Some work in the fields, another works in town. Upon our leaving their home, one even started out on her way to work- running through the fields, all dressed up and wearing high heels! In another home, where we carried in loads of firewood, even the tiny little children participated in the family effort. Even if it’s just a small action the values of family were clearly demonstrated, as one of the little girls we encountered already started to mimic her mother by taking for herself a single piece of wood and placing it in a little wrap to carry on her head from the main road into her home.

What I learned most today in this experience is not only that I have no reason to complain about my own life (let’s face it, the cold showers here are not ideal for anyone, but any shower is better than no shower) but also how life’s good and bad comes often in a give and take manner. For the families in the farms, they have very little material wealth, which could easily could be the solitary focus of any outsider. Yet, they have the security of a united  family unit. On the flipside, here at Eagle’s Nest, even though the children are not given to as much luxury as most of our group members, they have more physical wealth in terms of clothing, shelter, and amenities than the farmers. Still, what they lack is a small, structured family unit. We could feel sorry for both parties, and we could feel happy for them both as well. Each has been blessed in different ways, and each has their challenges. The message in gaining such a perspective is not to focus on merely what one is given or lacking, but the importance of “blooming where you are planted,” to steal a quote from one of our team members. Some circumstances require help from those who are given more (To whom much is given, much is expected). In this way, I’ve come to more fully understand what this project means, not just to the children at Eagle’s Nest, but to my own life view.