Today started very early with a simple breakfast of cereal and coffee at 5:30am in order to get out the door by 6:00am to head to Lake Atitlan!

We stopped at a scenic overlook near the lake to grab some photos and stretch our legs (it is about a 2.5 hour drive.

When we got to the lake we boarded our boat and drove around the lake for a couple hours just enjoying the views.

When we go to Santiago we walked up the hill to the Church of Santiago. We also had an opportunity to tour the rectory (fancy word for house) where Blessed Stanley Rother lived and was killed serving the people of Guatemala. Fr. Stanley is from Oklahoma and volunteered to come serve the people of Santiago Atitlán for years. During their civil war, he was killed and his cause for canonization is currently being investigated! We also had a chance to pray at the place where his heart is buried. When the civil war escalated and Fr. Stanley was placed on a hit list, he was forced to return to Oklahoma by his bishop, but after only a short time he told his bishop “my heart is in Guatemala with my people” and so he returned to Guatemala where not long after he was killed. Because of this love for his people they requested to keep his heart while the rest of his body is buried in Oklahoma.

I highly recommend reading the biography of Blessed Stanley Rother called “The Shepherd Who Didn’t Run” – I first read it while I was in the convent and have read it a few times again since there, it is really good and super informative! But for now, here is some information about Blessed Stanley Rother from the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City.

We then walked around Santiago for a few hours, had some lunch, coffee and ice cream before getting back on the bus to head back to San Andres Itzapa.

When we got back to the convent the sisters had a fiesta ready for us! Plantains stuffed with black beans. Tostadas with beans, guacamole or salsa. Black beans, taquitos and stuffed peppers. For dessert we had ice cream sundaes. I forgot to take pictures, I was a bit tired from the very long day.

Overall, this trip has been incredible! Having a smaller group meant getting to know everyone a little bit better and it allowed for a bit more of a relaxed trip not having to worry about keeping an eye out on 20+ students. Our group had a lot of fun together and we were able to help make a lasting difference in the lives of the people we served. I’m already looking forward to next year.

This will probably be my last post from this trip as tomorrow Saturday is just a long travel day, so unless something crazy happens, I plan to just sleep, read and relax on the trip home!

Thank you all for joining me on this journey, for the prayers and the encouragement!

Until next time! Hasta luego from Guatemala!