We split into two groups today in which one group went to the Volcano and the other stayed in Antigua and went to Marina Guirola. Our group (Emily Mertz, Megan Federle, Babette Northop, Joan May, Lorrie Kanoza, Linda Hanson, Lauren Krabacher and Carly Hartman) were the second option. The day started off going to Cerro de la Cruz and taking pictures that look like we are flying over the city :) We then headed to the market where we got to hear "Business is business" multiple times and were able to find lots of treasures to take home. Once at Marina Guirola, we were able to see all of the children that have touched our hearts so many times during our trips. Once I (Emily) walked in, one of the patients from last year came out in his new power wheelchair and came up to me. It was wonderful to see his smiling face again. As a group, we decided we wanted to help him walk so with four people helping, we assisted him out of his wheelchair and assited him in walking down the hallway. It was remarkable to see his smiling face while we assisted him. After we helped him with walking, the nuns asked us to help other children walk also in which we were more than happy to do. I will never forget all of their smiling faces once they were "walking" with us.

We ended our day going to the city dump and seeing the many people who go down there for their daily supplies to assist in making a living. It was here that I saw bone of bodies (due to the families not paying the rent on the tomb anymore so the bodies were evacuated), voltures flying over the trash and seeing many people down in the dump while it was raining. This was a very humbing experience. I also appreciated "Shorty" coming to talk to us about his past experiences including living in the slums, being a gangster and a drug dealer and how Christ has came into his life to turn his life around and to assist others. Thank you Shorty for sharing with us.

This was my second year of going on this trip with Xavier and I look forward to many more.

Emily Mertz, OTR/L