Vanagon Journey

 Today, I had the honor of visiting Moniqua’s house in Jocotenango, where we finished preparing bags of food for five local families in desperate need. Each of these families has been facing incredibly difficult circumstances. One woman shared with me that her son hadn’t eaten in three days, but because of our efforts, she now has enough food to feed him for a week. The gratitude and emotions that filled the room were overwhelming. I was called an "angel" several times today, which touched my heart deeply. In return, I received a beautiful handmade Guatemalan necklace, a symbol of the connection and appreciation shared between us. Today also marked another significant moment— I was given the Guatemalan name "Santiago de los Cabarreros," which I will carry with honor. We captured the essence of the day in photos and videos, which you can find on our social media pages. With five more bags to deliver, we are far from done. The work continues, and I am energized by the...

 Today was a day full of purpose and connection. We went to a local market and bought dry food—beans, rice, sugar, and salt—for ten families who are in need. It was a powerful experience to gather these essential items, knowing that they will make a real difference in the lives of those who receive them. Tomorrow, we will be delivering these bolsas de comida to the families, and we plan to record videos of them receiving the food. This isn’t just about giving; it’s about compartir —sharing a moment of hope and support with people who are going through tough times. I’m feeling a deep sense of alegría as we prepare for tomorrow. It’s incredible to think that something as simple as a bag of food can bring so much happiness and relief to a family. I’m excited to share these moments with all of you through the videos. I hope they inspire you to see the impact we can have when we come together to help others.

Today was a day full of meaningful experiences. I had the privilege of learning how to make tortillas by hand— tortillando —from an amazing woman who has mastered the art. It’s incredible to see the care and skill that goes into something so simple yet essential. There’s something special about connecting with others through their traditions and learning a bit of their craft. Tomorrow, I’ll be putting what I’ve learned into action in a different way. Along with some new friends, we’ll be preparing bags of dry food—beans, rice, sugar, and salt—to deliver to 10 families in need. This is more than just giving food; it’s about compartir —sharing something from the heart. I plan to make videos of the entire process, from packing the bags to delivering them. My goal is to show not just the need that exists but also the beneficios —the benefits—of coming together to help those who are less fortunate. It’s a small effort, but I believe it can make a big difference.

 The past few days have been transformative. I’ve connected with some truly amazing people here in Guatemala, all dedicated to making a positive impact on the world. Their passion for helping others has been inspiring, and I’m excited to be part of it. This evening, I’m meeting with the director of a local school. We’ll discuss potential ways to collaborate and support the community through education. Next week, I have a meeting with a local politician, which could open doors to even more opportunities to help. I’ve also met two incredible women who organize an annual toy drive. We’ve teamed up to identify 10 families in need, and together, we’ll create bags of food for them. Our planning session is set to wrap up on Wednesday, and I’m looking forward to seeing the impact we can make together. This journey continues to be challenging but incredibly rewarding. The connections I’m making here are deep, and I can’t wait to see where this path leads.

 Day 2 in Guatemala was all about finding parking in Antigua and connecting with people who could use my help. I say "need my help" because I’ve learned that my help comes with a cost. I met a man named José who works as a tour guide in Antigua and speaks several languages, including English and Spanish. We talked for a while, and he agreed to take me to his village, where many people are in need. We agreed to meet this morning at his corner, but when I arrived, he had a different attitude. He wanted me to enroll in Spanish classes before he would introduce me to the leaders of his pueblo. Today, I met with an instructor who will not only help me with the language barrier but will also guide me through the culture, food, and mannerisms of the country. I’ve enrolled in 20 hours of lessons—5 hours a day for the next 4 days. It’s exactly what I need to be understood by the locals and to understand exactly what they need. After I "graduate," they’re going to introduce m...

 I entered Guatemala through a very obsolete port at Playa Grande. The border crossing was dilapidated, with just two military guards stationed there. When they asked what I was doing, I handed them my card and probably came off a little too excited, exclaiming, "¡Por fin! A Guatemala!" I was partially delirious, throwing my hands around in excitement. I asked them if they needed anything, said I was there to help, and even asked if they needed help—in Spanish, of course. They just waved me through and said "Bien viaje," which basically means, "Get out of my face." The drive from there to Guatemala City was one of the most brutal and beautiful drives of my life. The mountains in this country are unforgiving. There are amazing people living on the sides of these mountains, climbing relentless miles while carrying five times their weight in sticks, corn for tortillas, clothes, water—you name it. They are incredible workers. Driving here requires constant vig...

 I had a rough day yesterday. Today was better. I started in Tabasco, Mexico, and made a commitment to reach Guatemala today, and I did. It was not without issues, however. About 100 kilometers from the border, the road dropped out from under the left side of the van in a huge puddle and turned to gravel with no notice. The van's journey almost ended there. I was going about 50 MPH and launched out of it onto two wheels, sliding into a deep ditch full of trees. Luckily, I grew up on gravel roads, and my Red Mesa driving skills kicked in. I didn’t slam on the brakes; I turned into the slide and got it back on four wheels. Then came the next one, which I was able to skirt a bit more, but I thought the front end was going to be ripped right off. It didn’t get ripped off, but it's a bit off-center now. My toolbox flew open, and my dry food bucket was hanging off the side. I didn’t take a picture of that one, but I did take pictures of some more down the road. The rest of the way wa...