Archive for January, 2010
Greetings from the roads of Honduras
Dear friends, greetings from the roads of Honduras in Central America.
Walk2gether continues and, step by step, we are overcoming the mountains of Santa Barbara and La Esperanza, walking at an altitude of approximately 9,000 feet above sea level.
Some of the walkers have begun to experience the wear and tear from their efforts, such as blisters and chapped lips; however, their spirit continues, strong and unbreakable.
On Jan. 24, we arrived at the area of La Paz. Because the difficulty of the altitude, mountainous terrain and roads limited our progress, we were unable to cover the full 40 kilometers planned per day. So during our rest day, on Jan. 25, we had to go back and cover the 16 unwalked kilometers accumulated from the prior days.
That very same day we decided to suspend Walk2gether for two days, returning to the road on Jan. 28. The reason for this is that the new president of Honduras will be inaugurated on Jan. 27, and many demonstrations are planned for that day. This is a risky situation for us, as any type of demonstration is viewed as political. The local authorities are mobilizing military troops and police to the same roads where we are walking to prevent protesters from entering Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras.
One little story during our walk: a few days ago, Bob fell while walking on a dirt road. I can report that he suffered no injuries whatsoever. On the contrary, he proved to be in great physical condition, and, at the same time, we discovered that Walk2gether will continue either walking, jogging, running or rolling down the road.
My best to all,
Manuel Pineda
CFCA Santa Barbara Project Coordinator
9 comments January 27, 2010
A smile and a hug
Isidor Sittenauer, a CFCA sponsor, shares some of his thoughts about his experience on the recent mission awareness trip to El Salvador.
When we first arrived at the CFCA center, I was rather surprised to be in a dormitory-type of setting and by the shock of cold water showers.
However, after visiting some of the homes of the sponsored children, I realized I was living in luxury by comparison. The people we visited were poor, yet they were always ready with a smile and hug. And, despite their housing situation, they always had on spotless clothing.
Every American citizen should appreciate the luxury we live in.
Add comment January 25, 2010
It’s about the people
The following is from Natasha Sims, CFCA web editor, who is currently in Central America participating in Walk2gether.
Jan. 11, 2010
Today the El Salvador mission awareness trip participants and I joined Walk2gether. We didn’t leave at 4 a.m. like the walk team and Bob did. We met them about 15 kilometers in, right around 8:35 a.m.
The 10 of us trickled into the line, meeting some CFCA staff and families for the first time. The morning weather was still slightly chilly from the unseasonably cold night, but the sun was quickly working the chill out of the air.
I didn’t know what to expect when we began the day. I was still trying to decide how to best cover the walk and share it with those who cannot experience it in person. In the end, I just decided to let the walk lead me, and a story would find me. And, a story did find me, many stories in fact.
Take Veron, for example. Veron is the project coordinator for CFCA’s Manila project in the Philippines. She is walking through Central America with Bob, both to represent her country in the walk and also her son, who is unable to walk. When she speaks about her 6-year-old, there’s a soft look on her face that tells me she is not entirely in El Salvador, but also 14 hours away at her home in the Philippines.
Veron overcame many obstacles to participate in the walk with “Sir Bob,” as she calls him, and now she adds a steady, soothing presence to the walk.
“Another 40 kilometers done,” she said at the end of the day.
Then there is Harry, a sponsor from Wisconsin. Harry has met Bob on several mission awareness trips. He is fully committed to CFCA and his sponsored children. I pulled out my audio recorder to document a sponsor’s view of the walk, but he was so choked with emotion before I finished my first question that he only managed to say this:
“This is the biggest thing I have ever done in my life, and Bob does this every day.”
Harry and I spoke several times during the walk and the rest stops, trading stretching tips and chatting about light topics. At the end of the walk, however, he smiled at me with tears in his eyes and said he might not be able to do that interview after all. That’s OK, Harry. Your eyes say it all, anyway.
At the 20-kilometer mark, I spoke briefly with Jose Francisco, a quiet man and the father of four sponsored children. “Which children?” I asked. He pointed at the two children I had just taken a picture of. They were giggling over my notepad, writing their names for me. I told Jose Francisco that I would like a picture of him with his family, meaning the two children. He sadly told me that only four of his 8 children were there. So I took a picture of him with his four children, and his wife and mother-in-law, who were also there, as it turns out. I took several photos of them but the one I like the best is the one in which I caught them laughing with each other. It isn’t perfect – the grandmother’s eyes are closed and Dina isn’t looking at the camera, but you can see the love they have for each other.
The final 10 kilometers of the walk were along a busy, noisy highway. We walked single-file, which gave us time for some internal reflection. I thought about all those I had spoken with through the day, and decided that Bob was right.
Walk2gether really is about the people.
7 comments January 15, 2010
Praying for Haiti
Our hearts are heavy as we think about the millions of people affected by the earthquake that shook Haiti yesterday.
Please join us as we pray for all those impacted by this terrible natural disaster.
We’re thankful that CFCA communities in Haiti did not suffer physical injuries or damage. To learn more about the impact on CFCA projects in the area, please read the news story on the CFCA website.
4 comments January 13, 2010
Video: Walk2gether crosses into El Salvador
CFCA President and Co-founder Bob Hentzen reflects on the first border crossing of his 8,000-mile walk through Latin America. On Jan. 7, 2010, the walk team crossed from Guatemala into El Salvador. Follow Bob’s journey at walk2gether.org.
2 comments January 12, 2010
Don’t forget your sticker!
If you’ve read the most recent Sacred Ground (our bi-annual magazine for all friends of CFCA), or looked around the Walk2gether website, you’ve heard about Sticker Sundays. But, just in case you haven’t, let’s re-cap:
On the second Sunday of each month, we encourage our sponsors to wear their Walk2gether sticker, found in the Fall 2009 edition of Sacred Ground. When people ask what the sticker represents, tell them about your sponsored friend and how you are “walking” with your friend through your sponsorship.
This is a great way that we can support the Walk2gether team, and find sponsors for the 789 children, youth and elderly waiting for sponsorship in El Salvador (where Bob is walking this week).
So, this Sunday, put on your sticker and watch for other CFCA supporters wherever you go. You may be able to make a new CFCA friend, and find a sponsor for a waiting child, all at the same time!
Your friends can sponsor through CFCA on our website, or by calling Sponsor Services at (800) 875-6564.
If you would like Walk2gether stickers, please call Sponsor Services at (800) 875-6564.
Upcoming Sticker Sundays
March 13, 2010
April 10, 2010
1 comment January 8, 2010
On the road: “Even the Earth’s a pilgrim”
The following is an end-of-year reflection by CFCA President and Co-founder Bob Hentzen as he walked along the route in Guatemala on the last day of 2009:
This is Dec. 31. The first 10k before dawn. Beautiful morning. Full moon. And the interesting thing is that the volcano called Pacaya is in eruption and we’re walking straight towards it. Our reflection: Even the Earth is changing. Even the Earth’s a pilgrim.
Henry Flores [CFCA-El Salvador communications director] is kind enough to bring this recorder and my Flip camera out on the road together with Judy-Anne [CFCA-Kansas communications staff] and Loretta [CFCA-Kansas communications director]. They are filming as we actually go down the road. Everybody’s doing OK. Suresh [Hyderabad, India, project coordinator] has been fighting a fever and is taking a little break in one of the vehicles.
It is amazing to look at this line of volcanoes from Fuego, Agua, Acatenango, Pacaya: the ring of fire. It is just amazing.
Our little poet from last night [Miguel] is now walking with me. And when we reach the first stop he is going to be declaiming another poem that he calls, “The Challenge.” I asked the father a little about the family. There are two other children. It’s an uncle and the dad who teach this little boy these poems and acting.
3 comments January 7, 2010
A few bumps, but going well
Paul Pearce, CFCA international programs director, is currently walking with CFCA President Bob Hentzen and the Walk2gether team.
Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2010
We’re within 4.5 kilometers from the El Salvador border, as of yesterday evening. We will spend today and tomorrow with the community in Jalpatagua, Guatemala. Today was an all-region finalist talent event, and tomorrow a livelihood program showcase.
The walk is going well. A few bumps, but going well. Cristina (Bob’s wife) had three toenails removed, and the camper has a new clutch plate (we have lightened the load considerably)… Everyone’s spirits are very high.
We have had some very hot days and lots of climbs. Some of the walk days stretch from 3:30 a.m., when we board the vans, to 7 p.m., when we reach the 40 kilometer mark after dark. The third 10 kilometers of the day is the most difficult – “the wall,” and sometimes takes twice as long to get through. The enthusiasm is incredible along the road.
In Chiquimulilla we estimate there were 4,000-5,000 CFCA kids, moms, dads and staff on arrival. Yesterday, we had several hundred walkers. The moms, some dads, and children as young as 3, students and elderly are walking significant distances. They seem to understand the difficulty of the walk and its significance.
There are many, many individual stories we’re trying to absorb as we go. One story is that of Stephanie, who is sight impaired, walking 10 kilometers. At one point we were lagging behind the group quite a bit – probably 150 yards, so we decided we should run. I was amazed by her. Many stories like this.
We’ll sign off for tonight and get back on tomorrow. Hope everyone survives the storm up there. We’re having high winds.
Take care all. Greetings from many folks along the road. – Paul
2 comments January 7, 2010
Video from the road: Reflections on day 2
“Out on the asphalt, it was more than 100 [degrees].” – Bob Hentzen
At the end of a hot and dusty day, having reached the 40 km marker, CFCA President and Co-founder Bob Hentzen reflects on the heat, cooling techniques, and inspirational discussions along the route.
1 comment January 6, 2010
Miguel reads a poem
A poem was recited by 8-year-old Miguel, a third grader sponsored through the Chimaltenango region of CFCA’s Hermano Pedro project in Guatemala. Miguel read the poem to CFCA President Bob Hentzen and others on the second evening of Walk2gether.
Artistic talent runs in Miguel´s family. Many of his relatives are painters, poets and songwriters. His Uncle Fernando, who wrote the poem Miguel recited for the walkers, has been a constant inspiration. Miguel has participated in poetry reading contests and has excelled and won prizes with the help of his Uncle Fernando.
Miguel is named after his father, a 30-year-old construction worker. His mother is Rosa, 27, who works weaving and making traditional Mayan blouses known locally as huipiles (wee-peels). Miguel has two brothers: Kevin, 7, and Luis Fernando, 5.
Add comment January 4, 2010
