June 2025 Trip to Cobán, Guatemala
This trip was planned by Sharla and Josiah McCarty! After they visited Cobán back in December/January earlier this year, they felt the desire to return to the area again in the summer. This area is located up in the mountains of Guatemala where many of the people only speak Mayan languages such as Pokomchi and Q’eqchi. We were able to visit three separate villages on this trip: Paz Molón, Chojol and Chamelco.
Due to generous donations this past year from individual donors as well as Rowley’s Red Barn, we were able to provide 100 water filter bucket kits in total, divided between the different villages. These beautiful people are working hard to provide food and shelter for their families, and these clean water filters really make a huge difference in day to day life! When drinking dirty water, it can prolong work days due to feeling sick and it dramatically slows down how much work a person is actually able to achieve in a day because of the the stomach pain, diarrhea and vommiting. We are so grateful to Sawyer Water Filters for their creation of these incredible bucket filter systems that help our Guatemalan friends avoid these sicknesses in their day to day life.
On this trip we were also able to share nutrition information (shout out to our medical professionals Erica and Janelle!,) distribute reading glasses to adults who needed them and provide hygiene kits to many families, thanks to many donations of time and resources from friends and family here in the states! No matter what we do or give while in Guatemala, I end up feeling like we gained so much more from the amazing friends we make in Guatemala. They are always so willing to talk with us, share their homes and food with us and show us so much love and kindness. We love getting to see the creative ways they come up with to grow their food, make their clothing and bedding as well as design their homes and schools. Every time we go, we are always reminded of just how much Heavenly Father loves all of His children! And shout out to the many wonderful humans who helped us during the trip as well, our dear friend Maria from the coast, our tour aides Antonio, Melvin, Edwin and our super fun bus driver Alex! This was an incredible trip, and we’re so grateful to all who helped make it happen!