Sorry for the delay in updates. This is the first time since we arrived in Guatemala that I have been able to write. So, first things first. Yes we did arrive. Everyone arrived safely, as did ALL of the luggage. Miracles do happen. We sailed through O'Hare (don't tell anyone, but they didn't even weigh our bags, which is A) incredible and B) another miracle since a couple of bags were well over 50 pounds. Flights on time, no problems in immigration and customs, driver and translator waiting for us at the door. WOW, we actually made it to Guatemala.

Our first stop in Chiquimulilla has come and gone. We had some good times there. Very different than the states. Hot humid weather. A couple of us got a little (or a little more) sick--mostly stomach ailments, but we are all getting better.

We did some great teaching programs for the 30 midwives. They were so receptive, eager to learn. Teaching them to take blood pressures was fascinating. Everyone did a fantastic job. We are all taking lots of pictures (I am already over 400 photos) and I can't wait to put them up on the blog and wherever else I can so you all can see what we are seeing and doing. Sorry, gonna have to wait a few more days. No way for me to do it here. Just have to settle for what few words I can share here, when I get the chance to log on.

The kids here are so cute. We stopped at a school today and I did a session on hand washing. Chris was originally going to do it, but she was not feeling well, so last night she asked me to step in. Of course I said yes and then came to my sense, but it was too late. Anyway, we had a great time, and the kids seemed to both enjoy it and learn something. I did five sessions, I think, with groups of about 25-30 students each. I started each session with the standard "Hi I'm Nathan and my friends and I are going to teach you about proper handwashing, and I would motion to the back of a dark and extremely hot room to the rest of the group. Imagine my surprise on about session three when I went into my opening and got to the my friends and I part and looked up and saw that none of my fellow travelers were back there. They had all gone out to play with the rest of the kids. Oh well they had fun, and some came back in time to help with the interactive hand washing part.

We are now in Antigua. It is a beautiful, colonial city, the old colonial capital of Guatemala. Our hotel, Hotel El Carmen (see link a couple of entries ago) is super, a definite change from the mission guest house in Chiquimulilla. The rooftop "terrace" has great views of the city and surrounding mountains. And I have some internet access, so hopefully I wil be able to update the blog on occasion, so keep visiting. Tomorrow we are off to a clinic, another school (I may end up being a handwashing expert by the time I get home) and to the dump to work with some of the families living there. Good night for now. Nathan