Certainly we deserved a day to sleep in
but the momentum from the weekly schedule (not to mention that
the roosters, dogs, and other animals awakened at the same time
anyway) carried over. After coffee we were all ready to head to
the Cerratos. To allow for more shopping opportunities, we
drove to the Mercado San Pablo, another market in Siguatepeque.
Since I had purchased three hand-made purses from
Luís’ wife (magnificently crafted out of old chip
bags from prior work teams) for the girls, I now was obligated
to get something else for Lisa and Joshua. So despite my
disdain for shopping, this was a good opportunity to even up my
gift tally for everyone.
After lunch at the Cerratos, we headed
north to the amazing waterfall, Pulapanzak. A massive mist
arose as we approached it that afternoon. Powerful and
beautiful, the waterfall tumbled before us. Once we had our
share of photos, we changed into bathing suits and began the
descent to the falls’ end. Since the waters’ flow
changes, each visit is slightly different according to Alfredo.
This year it was even more powerful. Incessant showering of the
waters’ spray made it difficult to see and even to breath
for some. Yet, it still was exhilarating. I loved to see how we
had to hold hands working as a team, just as we had all week,
at several points to ensure a stable foothold. This snapshot of
our team’s comraderie and cohesion was exemplified best
in this human chain in these wild waters.
Afterwards, we gathered at the same picnic
area where we had played frisbee football a year earlier. This
year we played American football.
Despite getting back to the Cerratos for a
late dinner, we were energized. We sang once more after our
bellies were full of tamalies and listened to Michael share his
story of how Christ changed him from being on
“man’s side” to being on “God’s
side.”
