Comments on: Quetzaltenango, Guatemala …

By: david mcmahon

david mcmahon — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 22:04:08 +0000

What a wonderful story, Quilly. You’ve told it (as always) with detail and sensitivity. Thnk you.

By: Quilly

Quilly — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 05:20:14 +0000

Brooke — being together did add a touch of extra special.

By: Brooke

Brooke — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 02:23:00 +0000

Oh, I remember that coat! It really is beautiful. That was indeed a special trip, wasn’t it? I’m glad I got to share it with you.

By: Quilly

Quilly — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:11:58 +0000

Cath — dignity was what the whole trip was about. We were helping to restore what should not have been taken away in the first place. It was an awesome privilege to be part of the team.

By: Crazycath

Crazycath — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 22:59:17 +0000

Now THAT is a decent jacket. And a great way to bring out the true sentiment of what we all should acknowledge – our God given freedom. What brilliant work you did in Guatemala, and buying things like this allowed them to keep some dignity and provide for their families.

It is a real work of art. No wonder you keep it – I would.

By: Quilly

Quilly — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:27:06 +0000

Melli — many homes in Guatemala are built of corrugated steel and cardboard boxes. They have dirt floor, no running water (no bathrooms). Many people wash their clothes in the river (ice cold water)and spread them on the banks to dry. They also bath themselves in that river.

There is so much more I could tell you, but instead I will say, if you ever get the chance to visit, GO!

Polona — and the beauty and the nonsense and the fun — gorgeous high mountain vegetation; usually it was too cloudy to see, but one day we all stopped work at 2:00 and ran outside to watch the volcano errupt while the locals stood around with tongue depressors and thermometers sticking out them muttering, “loco americanos”; and asking for directions to the restroom in the mall and being answered in rapid fire Spanish I couldn’t understand. The lady saw the look on my face, stopped talking, and pointed.

Nea — exactly. Thank you.

By: nea

nea — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:37:13 +0000

It is a beautiful coat, but the fact that is has such a story to go with it, I would keep it always too.

By: polona

polona — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:22:12 +0000

many hours of dedicated work is woven into this jacket; the work of those who made it plus the work you put in to help those guatemalans.
wonderful !

By: Jules~

Jules~ — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:01:34 +0000

There is so much intricate detail in that coat. I imagine every time you look at it, memories come out from everywhere. Thank you for sharing.

By: Alice

Alice — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:18:52 +0000

Quilly, this is a truly wonderful coat and story behind it. I love them both. What a treasure.

Have a great day!

By: Melli

Melli — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:34:22 +0000

Ohhhhh my gosh! That coat is beautiful! I LOVED this post! You know… my little Lesli lives in Guatemala… and I always always wonder what her life is really like. I hear sO little. These words hit me… ” – and do missionary work among those less fortunate than they.” It really makes you wonder, how much LESS fortunate can you get? And yet, there are…
Oh Quilly! You made my day with this post! Bless you, my friend!

By: Quilly

Quilly — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 08:06:05 +0000

Betty — well, the church (building) I went on the mission with no longer stands, and I live over 3000 miles away from them now, anyway. I take the coat whenever I give talks (and tons of photos, too), but even if I were unselfish enough to give the coat up for a permanent display, where would that be?

Diesel — I was tempted to be sarcastic and ask, “What did those people ever do to you?”, but truthfully, it is a heart and eye opening experience. Go. Chances are, you won’t regret it.

By: diesel

diesel — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 05:21:38 +0000

My church sends a group to Guatemala every year. I’m hoping to go one of these years. Hopefully next summer.

By: bettygram

bettygram — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 05:08:44 +0000

The jacket is beautiful. Is there a way you could display it so that it could continue to tell the story of the mission?

By: Quilly

Quilly — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 04:48:21 +0000

Shelly — 11 days and 11 nights — and I left Guatemala against my will. It was a wonderful, beautiful place full of smiling, loving people.