Last night was our first missionary meeting. From January 19 to 29, 2011 I will be heading to Nebaj, Guatemala. I had been asked by a coworker prior to the meeting why I would go to another country to help people when there are people here that need help. After the meeting I now know how to answer that question - because they need it more! The rivers are apparently filled with waste from a very primitive sewage system and there is garbage everywhere because the only dump is in Guatemala city roughly 6 hours south across steep mountainous terrain. I'm not sure on the spelling but we'll be travelling by tuc tuc (a 3 wheeled motorcycle) and in the back of pick up trucks or school buses. A young lady that our church has been sponsoring for some time lived almost an hour hike up the mountain and to get there the path led through peoples yards and across their front porches. The locals are exceptionally hospitable and friendly, most of them anyways and I can't wait to get a glimpse of the scenery and volcanoes. There is a tremendous amount of beautiful land there to see not to mention the history and culture despite the poverty and illness amid.

Another question I had for Ed, our team leader, was if it may be possible for me to visit with any locals that may have alopecia. Although we are going as part of a construction team, we also do home visits with selected families. Ed will get in touch with "the guy" who knows all about everyone in town and will find out if there is anyone there with alopecia. It could take a little while to find out but I'm waiting in anticipation. Pray for me! :)