We had finally arrived in Jalapa. It seemed like the middle of the night even though it was only 9:30 p.m. Everyone was sound asleep until we woke some up. It was pitch black as there are no street lights. As you look up in the sky it was filled with stars shining bright. I have never seen such a beautiful sky.

The women in sewing class

The scenery in the mountains is so hard to describe. Mountains everywhere you look. As you wind around the mountains, the sights just keep getting more and more breath taking.
Even the sounds of the night is something to be heard. The dogs howl all night but it sounds like a pack of wolves howling. The roosters start to crow about 1:00 a.m. The sounds of these animals bounce off the
mountains and you can hear the echoes three or four times over. Some people found it hard to sleep through, but I enjoyed just listening to the sounds of nature.

Now down to the important aspects. I believed in the Wells of Hope Project long before I ever decided to go to Guatemala and help. I thought I knew the conditions that these people lived in from my husband Ken's stories from his previous trips and stories from Ted. I really didn't know the extent until I was there. Ted, as many of you will remember states that the stories don't do it justice. Seeing with your own eyes is an experience to hold in your heart forever and I will cherish each memory that I have.

We were taken down to the main body of water that serviced over 40,000 people. When you looked into it, you could see the contamination, the algae floating around, the animal waste deposted there, even at times bones from the animals who have died and decayed. This is the water that people are using to irrigate their land, wash their clothes but most sadly drinking to sustain their life. Each drink they take, contaminates their body.

Then I saw the water from the wells coming out clean and free from contamination. Their life improved so much from the quality of water and not having to travel so far. It was so gratifying to see people appreciate what they were given.

The wells project is one of the various projects that are being offered. English classes are being given to people who are interested. The children gravitate to Peter when he comes and they are so eager to learn. I was able to help with the English class one afternoon. The kids were so excited and so proud of themselves when they were able to answer a question. It was an opportunity for us to learn Spanish and them to learn English.
It was great fun.

Miriam, Mary and Marquerite are busy teaching ladies to sew and crochet. Another project that touched my heart was the opportunity to help a family start out their new lives as a married couple. This young couple, husband 21, wife 15 and their 3 month old baby girl had been given some land from a family member. Ted and Miriam gathered some belongings and helped them to settle on their land. Ken and I were able to visit these people and bring them some more things. At this time their home was a tarp tied around some trees, a pup tent where the baby could sleep. The weather was cold so I left my coat there for the mother. As we left, we turned around and saw her putting on the coat. The smile on her face said it all and will never be forgotten.

The kids don't care about furniture, they're ready to start at the new school.

Two schools are in progress and the third about to start. The concrete walls are up. The roof is going on soon. We were busy covering the ground with rocks so that the floor could be poured with concrete. Everything is done slowly as everything is done by hand. The rocks were picked up one by one and thrown into the truck from the quarry and then delivered to the school. Once again, one by one the rocks were thrown into the school room. Eight trips were made in one day. That didn't even fill the three room school. Its back again for a few more days in order to be ready. All of these projects are helping the people to be more self sufficient.

Another aspect of this trip that I will always remember is their focus on God. They believe in God and thank God for each and every blessing that they are receiving. At every opportunity they thanked God for Ted and the group and the work that is being done. See the gratitude of people make it all worth while. These people are so welcoming. The shared whatever they had, they even let me make tortias with them. Mine sure didn't look like theirs. I still have a lot to learn. The entire trip has been educational in so many ways.

Great news. Two crates have reached Guatemala ( the Christmas shoe boxes.) They will be distributed in the very near future.

Please know that the money that you have donated is being used in a purposeful way. I pray that you continue to support this program through your thoughts and prayers, your donations to the Warehouse of Hope and your financial contributions to the Wells of Hope. I know I will be doing more than I have every done before since I have seen the qulality of peoples lives being improved through it.

In conclusion, the Bible tells us to bring Glory to God. This group truly does that by showing others that they care, by serving others with their gifts and sharing their faith in God. The core group that is involved are absolutely wonderful. They have been welcoming, accomodating and truly devoted to the project. I am so grateful to have met them and hopefully created new friendships for life. I am so proud to have been affiliated with this group. Thank you to each and
everyone of you for making my first experience such a heart warming and successful one. May God continue to bless you as you proceed with this project.

It was very hard to say good bye to the villagers and co workers. If I had the opportunity to return, I would in a second.

Sincerely,
Donna Janzen
St. Catharines, Ontario.

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