September 15th is Guatemala’s independence day, and the celebration is always so much fun.  The day before we had a parade with all the kids from the school where we marched from the the village where Casa Shalom is located over to the neighboring village and back.

Then that evening we went with the kids to San Lucas, a nearby town, to watch a few other parades and bands and fireworks.  Then we ran back to the orphanage carrying a torch.  This tradition is truly Guatemalan and so much fun!  Every independence day they chose some distance to run with a torch, and all along the way people watch and cheer us on and throw water on us as we pass their houses.  It’s like nothing else that I’ve ever experienced!

This was my third opportunity to join with them, and you can read about my trip two years ago on my webpage here.