We are finished! The final stove installation – the 128th overall – was completed about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Most of the team celebrated by taking a dip in the nearby river, or at least getting their toes wet. Okay, some of us plunged in the chilly waters and swam, which felt so good after working through the extra hot afternoon. Putting the last stove in feels a little like crossing the finish line of a marathon (I’ve run three). Like training for a marathon, you spend far more time training and preparing than you actually do running the race.
The final stove marked our goal of completing a job that has been many months in the making. It was a process that involved many of you and again we are so thankful for your support. I just wish you could for yourselves see how grateful the villagers are – together we have made a lasting impact on their corner of the world. While we have been amongst them for less than four days, our visit will no doubt be remembered for many years.
Life is hard in the village. We have only helped with a few things but the list is long. Yesterday a village-wide announcement went out that we needed more water. In a heartbeat there was a line of ladies in our school compound, many with infants on their backs, bringing in water jugs of maybe two gallons each to replenish our supply. It was a little humbling, and made me glad I bathed in the river rather than using the shower here.
It is pre-dawn as I type this. Then moon is a sliver in the sky above and wisps of clouds are appearing in day’s first light. Lidiia and Elena are also up early as they must cook our breakfast and pack up.
Another big earthquake struck Guatemala this morning, this time a 6.6, with the epicenter off the coast of El Salvador. We didn’t feel it but it was felt elsewhere in the country.
This morning we will distribute hundreds of the reader glasses we brought, say our final goodbyes to our new friends of Rio Azul and make the long drive back to Barillas.
