Thoughts from a Farmer

Growing up as a farm girl from rural Montana, I am used to big John Deere Tractors, combines, and large herds of cattle. As we drove from the airport in Guatemala City today, I was amazed when I saw a couple of cows on the side of the road just outside the city – no fences or electrical wire to keep them in. These were not cows like we have at home in Montana (fat and happy from the bales of hay). Their skeletons protruded through their skin as they scrounged for some left-over grass to feed from.

Although there were many things that I will keep in my heart from walking around the Mission and the city of Santo Tomas, I will never forget how very different the simple fact of “farming” can be.  These people farm for survival. They farm to feed their families who are already often undernourished.

It is truly a gift to be here. Hopefully as the days go by my Spanish will come back to me a little better! Dios te Bendiga (God Bless)

–       Peace, Heidi Linhart