Stoves, Caves, and a View

David and Harvy trying out the new tools at the AJPU workshop

Hi! This is David and Harvy with another post (Carrie has added a little commentary in parentheses). This was the last day of our trip.

Upon waking up, we tidied everything (boys were told to go back to their room to do a second round of cleaning) and went to prepare our lunches. We made some extra portions since we would have guests for a picnic lunch.

After that, we headed to AJPU, a cooperative that makes improved, fuel-efficient stoves.

(This is Carrie… Today’s visit to the AJPU worshop was the first time I saw, in person, the new tools that AJPU purchased with their grant from PC(USA) Self Development of People program – think One Great Hour of Sharing. Super impressive and these new machines will take their business to a new level. But I noticed that they are in desperate need of a new laptop and three pairs of steel-toed boots. We always take N-95 masks (thank you Kara Francis for a huge multi-year supply for free!), gloves and safety glasses each trip since safety is a top priority. We hope you will support these wonderful men who are working really hard to make a living, save the environment, and help women in the communities by donating to the Stove Campaign this Advent!)

New air compressor (left) compared to the old one

Metal molding thingy for the chimneys

Now back to David and Harvy:

Then, we went with our guests, who were the three men who worked at AJPU and their families, to a private mountain in Totonicapán that they are working to preserve, reforest and regenerate. We went for a short hike, stopped at two Mayan caves and several miradors.

Climbing down into a cave that goes several meters into the earth. People come here to pray for healing or before they migrate to the U.S. Vicente said a prayer for us in the Mayan language of K’iche.

For good luck, we left coins in the crevices of the cave.

After that, we had lunch, and finally relaxed by playing soccer, swinging in hammocks and having fun. We stayed as late as we could and enjoyed the fresh air!

Intense futbol match

Lastly, we returned to the capital – a five hour drive with terrible traffic – but not before having hot chocolate in Chichoy, which was located in Tecpán.

We didn’t get home until 10:30 pm and our parents were all waiting for us at the church. It was a wonderful and incredible experience. We thank God for giving us the opportunity to have been there, and we hope to be able to go again!