What do girl scouts and a Guatemalan dinner have in common
They both start with ‘G’? Well, yes, but there’s more!
Last Friday we had the pleasure of a packing party and celebration dinner with our Girl Scout partners. The packing party was something that I had first suggested as a means of making the girls feel yet more involved with the project, as packing and delivering are final stages in the process. Because they aren’t traveling with us, at least preparing their donations for the travel would provide that sense of closure.
Trent and I arrived first, bringing all of the books and medical supplies we had collected and a raft of donated suitcases. When we stepped in the house, it looked like Christmas morning — the urban sprawl of donations emanated from the ultrasound machine “tree” and the look of delight on my face must have looked like Ralphie when he opened the Red Ryder BB Gun.
I was rather interested in “playing with” all these new toys, but ironically was put in charge of getting them packed away. Books, sewn tablet covers, bookends, school supplies, medical supplies, sporting goods, drawstring bags, hygiene and personal care items — we filled 8 large suitcases with lots of goodies destined for the elementary school in Canton Rio Camanibal or the Charlie Gomez Medical Clinic in Panajachel. The portable ultrasound machine that we thought would easily pack in luggage now is being gifted with a large and heavy rolling cart/stand, so I think it is going to be crated and shipped separately. What a fantastic donation!
The troop leaders planned a dinner celebration to follow and asked if I had any suggestions. My immediate thought was Señor Tomás in Hartland. Although they advertise themselves and are thought of as a Mexican restaurant, the owners are from Guatemala and they have delighted us with Guatemalan favorites in the past!
For this meal, they provided wonderful beef taquitos, rice, black beans and plantains. Everything was delicious, and with the addition of the wonderful Guatemalan marimba music playing in the background, everything was perfect.
Less than two months before we travel now! I can’t wait!
The “right” opportunity arose when I learned about a travel opportunity for adoptive families which would include volunteer work and cultural sightseeing. Being members of that team had a profound impact on me, Lillian and Andrew. Not only were we able to make a real connection to our son’s birthplace, but we met incredibly warm and generous people, all of whom we now consider to be a part of our “family.” In addition to the volunteer work I shared with the Team, I also was able to “give back” by performing as my alter ego, “Farfel the Clown” at a barbecue for children of The Backyard School. It will remain one the proudest and happiest memories of my life.