Rain, Rain

It{s the rainy season in Guatemala and the first time I{ve experienced mosquitos here. Not quite up to the vigorous species of Minnesota, but annoying nonetheless. Today our team attended to a wide variety of tasks--Meg and Alex were in the warehouse sorting recent donations, Bill, Paula, Gloria, Caulder and I went with the construction crew to put up an interior wall in a school; Jesse shadowed a doctor at the clinic; Megan, Niki and Suzie took care of kids in the day care center.

During the afternoon, some of us had visits with the children we sponsor through Common Hope while others built panels to be used for a house in San Rafael. Jesse was back in the clinic and Meg and Calder did some after school care with older kids in the library. Then we had an orientation to San Rafael where we will all be working tomorrow. We have two days to put up a two room house. Here{s hoping for a day without rain!

Again at Common Hope

It is early morning in Guatemala. I love watching and listenting to the morning activity from the veranda in Common Hope

I expected that we might be doing some relief work, but Common Hope is very protective of its volunteers! Our job will be to continue some of Common Hopes regular work while Common Hope staff are assessing the long term needs after the storm.

We will spend the weekend "hanging out" in Antigua, the city where Common Hope is located and Monday we will visit with families sponsored by members of our group. Tuesday and Wednesday all of us will be working on a construction site in San Rafael. Thursday we will help Common Hope honor staff and families. Friday is Father{s Day in Guatemala and Common Hope will be closed to encourage staff families to have time together, so our team gets an extra day to play!

At least, that{s the plan for the week! The group this year is a "put together group" of folks who were interested in coming to work with Common Hope but needed a team to go with. Gloria and Paula are from southern Minnesota and will be joining a group from their Catholic parish for work in San Lucas later next week. Suzie and Bill are from Chicago and brought their two granddaughters, Nikki and Megan. My sister, Meg and her son Jesse are with us, along with Jesse{s best friend Calder. Alex is with us as well.

So far, we{ve only seen one of the footprints Agatha left behind--there is still one place where not all the rocks from a slide have been removed from the road between Guatemala City and Antigua. But we{ve heard that there are still roads that are impassable because of mud and rock slides--that is one of the reasons we are staying in Antigua this weekend.

In the areas where there was the most damage, there are some diseases beginning to show up, some related to compromised sanitary conditions. Volunteeer work is limited in those areas. I{m sure we{ll hear and see more as the week unfolds.

Take care. We{ll keep you posted! Charlottte

Getting the Rhubarb Ready

One week after Grandma's, Duluth celebrates a Rhurbab Festival! In addition to being great fun, it's an excellent fundraiser for CHUM. This Saturday, June 12th, folks will be chopping rubarb and freezing it for pie making, sauce making, and even ice cream flavoring. Here's an invitation from CHUM.

Rubarb cutting begins at 8:30 a.m. in the kitchen (lower level) of Peace Church (11th Ave. E. & 11th St.) and lasts until 1:00 p.m. However, people are invited to take part for whatever length of time they have available. Cutting rhubarb goes best with song, story, and conversation so come with the expectation of good fellowship and time well spent for a great cause.

PILGRIM TURKEYS

It was too soggy for a softball game tonight, but check us out next Tuesday evening. Pilgrim's softball team--co-ed and intergenerational--plays almost every Tuesday evening at Field 1 at UMD. We're the guys and gals with gray and black shirts, turkeys on the front, "approved by God" stamped on the back. Softball games are great fun for the whole family--and a great place to meet Pilgrims. Most games are at 6:00 p.m. Check the calendar page on our website to be sure.

Bars of Soap and Toothbrushes

If you lost everything you owned to a mudslide, what would you ask for first, after water and food? Families related to Common Hope would greatly appreciate personal hygiene items--soap (bars are easier for us to pack and carry); toothbrushes, toothpaste, washclothes, small towels, basic first aid kits. Tropical storm Agatha dropped 20 inches of rain in parts of Guatemala, creating mudslides that thundered through villages perches on the volcanoes around Antigua where Common Hope is located. Pilgrim will accept donations through Wednesday June 9th. On the 10th, Charlotte Frantz and her son Alex take off for a week of volunteer work with Common Hope.

Music at The Pines

Enjoy a short concert by Bellissimo, Pilgrim's handbell choir, at The Pines, Saturday afternoon, 2:00 p.m. The Pines are located on St. Marie Street, behind Mount Royal Shopping Center.

HUGE Book Sale

Pilgrim's Annual Book Sale will be this Saturday, June 5, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Stock up for the summer. Great reading material in all categories. Tell your friends and neighbors.