I'll be in Antigua Guatemala - the little blue area.

Charity is the virtue that unites men and inspires their noblest efforts. - Conrad Hilton

First, to those of you who celebrate: Merry Christmas Eve! And good day to everyone!

The day after Christmas I depart for Guatemala for a service trip – part of my commitment to give more back in 2010 through volunteer work. I was going to spend the time taking a vacation, but then thought I could find a way to combine it with giving back. (Think "blending" with a twist: finding opportunities for service during work and personal time!) I started regular Meals on Wheels routes a couple months ago, and since then, I’ve been constantly reminded that the world truly looks different when we are being generous.

In Guatemala, we’ll be working with orphans in an area so impoverished that even the children who have families don't have clean water and can't afford to go to school. In one village we’ll visit, San Mateo, we’ll be working with a couple who started a community center for abandoned children – they have dreams to create a computer lab but right now are just trying to help provide running water and food for 50 or 60 children whose parents can’t afford to take care of them.

Some quick facts on Guatemala:

• size of Tennessee
• not everyone speaks Spanish; there are 24 indigenous languages spoken
• Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion, but many have blended it with traditional Mayan rituals
• the terrain is mostly mountainous
• primary exports are coffee, bananas, and sugar
• 75 percent of the rural (mostly indigenous) population lives in extreme poverty
• only 30 percent of rural students finish 3rd grade

Technology allowing, I’ll be putting updates on FB and Twitter if you want to follow the journey. And I’ll do a wrap up when I come back.

I set up a page for donations – even just a dollar takes a child one step closer to a better future. It takes many people caring to make a difference.

Hope everyone finishes the year warm and happy – and inspired to make 2010 the best yet!! For ourselves, and for all whose lives we touch.

-Keith

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