Fun in Guatemala!

Not only do we perform lots of valuable service work – we have fun on our trips to Guatemala!  There are various opportunities to shop, sightsee, and eat some delicious food.

Last summer we ate at one of my favorite places called Kacoa in Guatemala City.  There are dozens of authentic Guatemalan dishes to choose from.  We also had some great food at Sharon and Dwight’s house, the other restaurants, and a catered meal we had one night.  My favorite dish is pepian!  Yummy!  It is made in a couple of different ways, but it normally consists of chicken and a stew.

Right after everyone flew into Guatemala City we had time to go to the Guatemala City zoo.  It had just rained and the animals were especially active.  The tigers put on quite a show playing in the water.  The giraffe chased the zebra.  The monkeys were active too!

On Sunday, we traveled to Lake Atitlan.  We spent several hours at a Nature Reserve in the Panajachel area.   The adventurous ones in the group hiked up a mountain and then ziplined back down.  Though it was raining they got great views of the ake and waterfall.  There was even a place for the kids to go ziplining – until the clouds let loose. Then we hurried back to a covered patio and waited for the rest of the group to make it back down to the base.

Another day some of the group got to learn how to make tamales.  The rest of the group got to eat them for dinner.  J

On Friday, we took a relaxing boat ride across Lake Atitlan to the village of Santa Cruz.  It was a great way to unwind and just take the sights in!  We ate breakfast at La Iguana Perrida.  Electricity just came to this village about 7 years ago and is intermittent, but they still somehow make a terrific breakfast!  On the way back, with full stomachs, there were lots of naps. 

On our last full day in Guatemala, we went to the town of Antigua.  It used to be the capital of Guatemala until earthquakes destroyed it.  It is a quaint town surrounded by 3 volcanoes.  There are many beautiful churches and we saw a wedding at one.  Some of the group relaxed, while most of the group went out shopping for the day!

All in all, beyond our service work – we also had lots of fun!

Play It Forward Golf Tournament - April 21, 2012

We are quickly approaching our 2^nd Annual Play It Forward Golf Tournament!  It will be held on Saturday, April 21^st at Three Ridges Golf Course.  Lunch and check-in are at 12pm and tee time is 1pm.

Teams of 4 people or individuals are welcome.  The cost is $250 per team or $65 per individual.   The cost includes lunch, a shirt, and door prizes.

We are fortunate to have Fox Chevrolet sponsoring some great Hole-N-One prizes again this year – including a chance to win a car!  There will be other contests – including  “Closest to the Pin” and the “Longest Drive.”

Major Sponsors are currently Triax Data, Bailey Sales, QSM, Fox Chevrolet, and Food City.  Please post a comment if you are interested in more information on the upcoming Play It Forward Golf Tournament.

Play It Forward Golf Tournament 2011 Slide Show

Blanket Sponsorship

During our last trip to Guatemala, one of our participants was able to have 10 handmade fleece blankets donated.  They were passed out to families who probably didn’t have any blankets.  Though Guatemala is closer to the equator and you would expect it to be hot, the areas we work in are actually cold at night due to the villages being in the mountains.  The blankets were a great gift for these families!

So…it started the wheels turning….  We have started making blankets! J  They are each about 1.5 yards long, and are made without any sewing…just lots of cutting and tying.  Each one costs about $15.  Our goal is to make 100 blankets before our next trip in November.

We have a Girl Scout troop who is going to make 15.  It is a great project for a book club or Sunday School class.  The blankets are easy to make – and anyone over the age of about 6 can help with them.

Jonah and Allison both turned 7 in February.  They decided to have a joint birthday party and instead of asking for gifts, they asked their friends to donate school supplies or the cost of a blanket.  Each has a goal to have 15 blankets sponsored.  So far they are each at about 11 blankets sponsored!

So, if anyone wants to help warm a child and show them a little love, please think about making a donation to cover a blanket.  Or if you want to help make a blanket, just let me know! J