Pueblo Nuevo Preparations

On Thursday, we visited the village of Pueblo Nuevo.  It was about a 45 minute drive from Antigua into the mountains.  So we got to see a little of the countryside.  We arrived at the home of Marco and Ledi, the pastor and his wife.  Our first assignment was to walk from there to the town market to buy groceries for the meal that we would prepare for the children's ministry.
The market was amazing with stands of freshly-grown fruits, vegetables, grains.  Interestingly the meat (chicken and beef) were hanging in open-air fashion, with no refrigeration.  Remember, we were buying groceries to prepare a meal for people who are accustomed to eating this way...not for our own edification.

Here are some photos of the market

The Produce Market

Fresh Carrots and Melons

Dried peppers, grains, and anchovies!

An indegenous woman with baby on her back buying "fresh" meat.

After buying groceries we walked back to the Pastor's home and prepared the meal "Guatemala-style" by cooking stew outside on a wood-burning oven.  Some of us prepared the craft projects for the children.  And others put together treat bags.

Our bus in front of the Pastor's home.

Inside the Pastor's Home

Assembling Craft Projects

Cooking chicken stew over a wood-burning fire

Assembling Treat Bags

Cleaning fresh mango and pineapple

Assembling Craft Projects

Cutting up Chicken and Making Rice

Dan cutting up chicken

We then drove to the shanty area of the village to setup for the children's ministry, which is held in a garage.  We had prepared for 60 children to attend. The children's ministry is held three times per week.  We were told that the meal received may be the only real meals some of the children receive all week.

Setting up chairs in anticipation of the childrens ministry

Making tortillas

Cindy and I on the rooftop of the Pastor's Home