Chichicastenango, our home base. Yes, we are in a very different place.
This journey was such an incredible, life-changing opportunity, personally and professionally as well as spiritually. Our host, Dr. Daniel Holt, told me that “While this trip is for the poor and downtrodden, in the end you'll find it's for you as well.” That confused me because none of us were thinking of anything but helping those we came to assist. I didn't understand what he meant until later.
Every team member brought two large suitcases, one with our clothes and personal items and the other completely stuffed with medications, which were a combination of donations from medical offices and over-the-counter medicine we’d bought with donations. These were mostly simple items that we take for granted every day but that are badly needed by others. The doctor had told us if we'd like, we should bring clothes we wouldn't mind parting with because at the end of the week we could give them away to folks who would love our old, beat-up jeans and t-shirts. It's a great idea. I'll bet someone is still walking around with my Bass Pro Shops and Guinness T-shirts and old jeans.
Every team member brought two large suitcases, one with our clothes and personal items and the other completely stuffed with medications, which were a combination of donations from medical offices and over-the-counter medicine we’d bought with donations. These were mostly simple items that we take for granted every day but that are badly needed by others. The doctor had told us if we'd like, we should bring clothes we wouldn't mind parting with because at the end of the week we could give them away to folks who would love our old, beat-up jeans and t-shirts. It's a great idea. I'll bet someone is still walking around with my Bass Pro Shops and Guinness T-shirts and old jeans.
Dr. Daniel Holt examining a prisoner who had been beaten by villagers.
In addition to my amazement at encountering a far different culture and worries about our safety after reading State Department warnings, I was doubly surprised when told on day one that there’d been a change of plans. Instead of visiting a quaint mountain village, we were going into a small city prison. While the photographic opportunities excited me beyond expectation, I was apprehensive wondering what it would be like inside those walls. Would we be safe?
The prison was small, and while I thought we would be escorted at all times by the armed guards carrying machine guns, I was mistaken. We were free to roam the prison population with all the inmates in the courtyard. One of the first things I witnessed was garbage being thrown over the walls into the prison by the public outside, to show their contempt for those inside. I snapped my first shots and was instantly surrounded by a dense huddle of inmates, eager to view the images on my camera's LCD. I was told by the doctor what certain tattoos meant, such as those that indicate that an inmate has killed a person. Despite my worries, the inmates were extremely non-threatening. Tattoos are permanent, but it's possible for one to change on the inside, and I believed many of these young men were making amends and getting themselves on a better path.
Dr. Daniel Holt examined a gang member had been stealing in his village for a long time. His neighbors finally had enough so they resorted to vigilante justice, beating him with rakes, hoes and shovels. Being arrested and taken to jail was probably the better part of his day. I was told that in areas where there is little or no law enforcement, townspeople often take the law into their hands and dole out their own brand of justice.
The prison was small, and while I thought we would be escorted at all times by the armed guards carrying machine guns, I was mistaken. We were free to roam the prison population with all the inmates in the courtyard. One of the first things I witnessed was garbage being thrown over the walls into the prison by the public outside, to show their contempt for those inside. I snapped my first shots and was instantly surrounded by a dense huddle of inmates, eager to view the images on my camera's LCD. I was told by the doctor what certain tattoos meant, such as those that indicate that an inmate has killed a person. Despite my worries, the inmates were extremely non-threatening. Tattoos are permanent, but it's possible for one to change on the inside, and I believed many of these young men were making amends and getting themselves on a better path.
Dr. Daniel Holt examined a gang member had been stealing in his village for a long time. His neighbors finally had enough so they resorted to vigilante justice, beating him with rakes, hoes and shovels. Being arrested and taken to jail was probably the better part of his day. I was told that in areas where there is little or no law enforcement, townspeople often take the law into their hands and dole out their own brand of justice.
A prisoner fumbles through donated glasses.
The prisoners rarely, if ever get medical attention, so the line to see the doctor and staff was long. In addition to photographing the day, I also served as the prison optometrist. “What?!?” I thought, when told of my additional duty. Turns out that my job was to help prisoners sort through a suitcaseful of donated eyeglasses spread out on tables for the prisoners to try on. Imagine being in prison and not able to read. If an actual eye doctor had traveled with us, he'd have practiced his legitimate trade. In lieu of that, I facilitated helping these guys find a way to see better albeit in a crude, informal way. But hey, I was wearing scrubs, so at least I looked semi-legit, right? It's amusing how things went. A prisoner would pick up the coolest-looking pair of glasses and try them on. They don't help him see at all so he begrudgingly sets them down. He works his way through the table trying on others, working from best-looking pair on down to the most hideous, outdated ones. When the tough Central American prisoner realizes that Aunt Fanny’s 1978 hand-me-downs help him see perfectly, he and his buddies all have a good laugh and he thanks me and walks away with his new, uh... eyes. This is a good time to mention this. Many of us have old glasses sitting in a drawer. Please donate them. If you don't know where, get them to me and they'll go with the next mission team. Eyeglass cases are needed as well.
Prisoners sing hymns and shed tears as they lament their current situation.
While the team spent the day attending to the prisoners aches, pains and illnesses, a local church group was there singing hymns and performing a sort of service. I was moved by how many of the men inside the prison truly seemed repentant and eager for their chance to stand up, make a change for the good and not repeat the mistakes that had landed them in prison. Guatemala is largely a very poor country with annual average incomes equivalent to only several hundred US dollars, so while many people farm and do what they can to get by, others may ultimately turn to crime. I'm moved every time I go through my images. I used to think a mission trip was free or at least very cheap, but I was wrong. It can cost as much as a good vacation. This trip was the best thing for me on so many levels. I came back home realizing how good we have it here, and I thought "Why do we all complain so much about ridiculous things?" There is so much we take for granted.
One thing I noticed very quickly about my fellow missionaries was the different teams from all walks of life, religious denominations and other organizations that we kept running into, doing what they felt called to do. It's a life-changing opportunity. I'm really eager to do a trip like this again. Photographically it was such a gift to be exposed to things so far removed from my normal existence... to use my camera to capture images that move me and hopefully others. I saw things that I'd only seen before on TV or in magazines, but here I was seeing them for myself, and it impacted me a great deal. We witnessed sad moments, hardship and abject poverty. Thankfully, my camera’s autofocus took over in many instances while my own eyes were welling up. Often the mechanics of image making were a useful distraction for temporarily shielding my mind from the reality in front of the lens. It was only later, when reviewing the images, that I finally had time to react to them more fully.
One thing I noticed very quickly about my fellow missionaries was the different teams from all walks of life, religious denominations and other organizations that we kept running into, doing what they felt called to do. It's a life-changing opportunity. I'm really eager to do a trip like this again. Photographically it was such a gift to be exposed to things so far removed from my normal existence... to use my camera to capture images that move me and hopefully others. I saw things that I'd only seen before on TV or in magazines, but here I was seeing them for myself, and it impacted me a great deal. We witnessed sad moments, hardship and abject poverty. Thankfully, my camera’s autofocus took over in many instances while my own eyes were welling up. Often the mechanics of image making were a useful distraction for temporarily shielding my mind from the reality in front of the lens. It was only later, when reviewing the images, that I finally had time to react to them more fully.
Matt the resident missionary comforting a young man.
I can't speak highly enough about the people who do this kind of volunteer work again and again. There are so many doctors, dentists, nurses, specialists and ordinary everyday people who go on mission trips. Many go as often as they can to help the downtrodden here or abroad. I'm deeply impressed and moved by their unselfish dedication and sacrifice as they use their vacation time and personal funds to travel to sometimes dangerous places to just…help. If you think you might want to join a mission trip, do some research and you'll quickly find one you can connect with. It doesn't have to be abroad, it can be down the street. I guarantee you will be changed if you do it. I will never forget the people on our team, those we went to help, and the images I was blessed to have made with my camera. I instantly gained appreciation for all that we have in our lives and more understanding of what others endure.
I will cover more of this life-changing trip in an upcoming newsletter. While my trip lasted only a week, the experiences and images I captured are enough for several more stories. It was a profound experience, and I want to do justice by giving it the space it deserves.
I hope you enjoyed this article. Perhaps it moved you in some way. If a mission trip is not possible or practical for you, there are thousands of legitimate groups with feet on the ground—people who use 100% of donations to legitimately provide help, build houses, drill wells and more. If you can't go, maybe you can donate, even some old glasses that are rolling around in your junk drawer. Contact me if you want to connect with some very good people who inspire with the good work they continually do.
I will cover more of this life-changing trip in an upcoming newsletter. While my trip lasted only a week, the experiences and images I captured are enough for several more stories. It was a profound experience, and I want to do justice by giving it the space it deserves.
I hope you enjoyed this article. Perhaps it moved you in some way. If a mission trip is not possible or practical for you, there are thousands of legitimate groups with feet on the ground—people who use 100% of donations to legitimately provide help, build houses, drill wells and more. If you can't go, maybe you can donate, even some old glasses that are rolling around in your junk drawer. Contact me if you want to connect with some very good people who inspire with the good work they continually do.
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