Updates and photos for the Spring 2007 LASP semester can be found at:

http://laspspring07.blogspot.com

Guatemala and Miami

By Kathleen Winslow, Covenant College

We left Costa Rica on December 3, but the LASP experience continued. Don Gerardo led the group to Guatemala, where we spent one long day learning about recent Guatemalan history (an ugly story) before splitting up into groups for service projects (see pictures marked 0).

Five days later, we reunited in a touristy town for rest, some shopping, and reflection on our various projects. In brief, these are the ways we had sought to extend the Kingdom of God in a tangible way (numbers correspond to the pictures):

1. One group painted rooms for a school that serves children living in the poor communities that surround the Guatemala City dump.

2. Another couple of guys fixed computers and taught computer classes to teachers at a similar school outside the dump.

3. Students at Finca Santa Elena learned to pick coffee, prepared bananas for drying, packaged various products, picked up trash, and more.

4. A group at Agua Viva Children’s Home painted the dining room, but also spent time playing and talking with the kids, even experiencing a Guatemalan Water Park.

5. A few girls changed diapers and played with kids at a home for malnourished children, bringing joy to little ones who don’t get much personal attention.

6. Those at a farm packaged produce, did general maintenance, and talked with indigenous leaders about developing their communities through organic agriculture.

7. Another group did outdoor work for an organization that provides nutritional cookies for malnourished children and education for mothers who are trying to care for their kids. 8. And students served in various community development projects through the Catholic Church in the mainly indigenous town of San Lucas Toliman.

After a touristy day or two (see pictures 9a-9d), we said our goodbyes to LASP staff Gerardo, Krystal, Alex, and Kristina, and hopped on a plane to Miami (perhaps staggered is a better word, considering the weight of our carry-ons). We were met at the airport by Trevor and Laura, and the next morning Director Antonio arrived, too. Back on US soil…

Friday, December 15, was a day to relax and begin to say goodbye to the people who have shared so many experiences with us this semester. We went to the beach, ate dinner at upscale restaurants, and put on a great talent show.

On Saturday, we participated in a re-entry workshop, thinking about the highs and lows of our semester in Latin America, and the hopes and concerns that we have as we head back to our families, churches, schools, and jobs (see pictures 9e-9f). Then, dinner in Little Havana, a graduation ceremony, and final goodbyes because… …it was time to go home!