Summer Highlights

Although it is not summertime here in Guatemala, July and August are always busy for the Connecting Peoples program as groups from North America take advantage of their summer breaks to work with the MCC supported projects here. This year was no exception as we hosted back-to-back groups from the U.S. and Canada; a Youth Venture team that is part of Mennonite Mission Network and the Enlace group that comes each year through MCC Ontario.

The Youth Venture group had the opportunity to connect with the work of Toby and Yasmin in the area of Nebaj, Quiche spending time working alongside a group of youth who are hoping to start a community bakery. The group also met with a core group of community leaders who form part of the resistance against the hydroelectric dam that is being built in the region; if you didn't have a chance to read about that in July's update, please visit here. This was the second time this year that we have been able to work with the various groups of youth in Nebaj and again was a very positive experience. Some of you (Rockway!) may recognize a few of the people and places in the photos below.



cob oven and bench created by the youth
click here to read more about this really cool, eco-friendly construction method


entrance to cafe in nebaj (see here for more pictures)



youth making lunch for the group


delicious quesadillas and licuados



baking workshop in xepiun


hike in the mountains near xepiun



starting work on the bakery's oven and seating area



almost finished product; pictures of the completed project coming soon!