Not exactly a post about food, but in a way it kind of is. We got back from Guatemala late Friday evening. We were really blessed to be able to work at The Malnutrition Center in San Juan, Guatemala. Words just can not describe how beautiful Guatemala is! The weather was gorgeous with highs in the 70’s, lows in the 50’s and beautiful mountains and volcanoes were everywhere you looked.
San Juan is one of the most malnourished cities in Guatemala and Guatemala is the most malnourished country in Central America. To be honest, as an American with a roof over my head and food in my stomach, I was totally and completely overwhelmed with what I saw. According to statistics 45% of children under the age of 5 in Guatemala are malnourished. Such depressing statistics! There is a bright spot in all of this though. The children were so precious and so ready for attention it was easy to hug and snuggle every one of them.

Kevin and I in the baby room ( 9 of the 21 babies!!)

Snack time for the older kids

A woman outside the center

Two of the days we were there we were able to help build a home. For the record, the home we helped build would hold my lawn mower and deck chairs here in Florida. It was so neat to talk to one of the women who lived in a shack behind the site where we were building. I could smell tortillas cooking, so as a foodie I just needed to know where they were at. She kindly allowed me in her home and I watched as this woman made 20-30 tortillas (easily!) by hand in a matter of minutes. She had an open fire with a large metal disk to cook the tortillas and turned them by hand. It was so incredible to watch!

The local woman we worked with to build the house

The family with a new home!

Tortilla lady! 🙂

For a little recreational fun we ziplined over a coffee plantation. It turns out this is a very large plantation where Starbucks buys some of their coffee. 1800 feet, 35 mph and 500 feet over a valley at 6500 feet was stinking crazy!!!

Being in Guatemala was absolutely incredible. If you are interested in knowing more about the Malnutrition Center here is the organization we went with. You can sponsor a child for $30 dollars a month! Check out Orphans Heart if you have the chance.

P.S.- I am done blabbing about Guatemala for now-Next post will be about food *pinky promise*