Family Life Network Trip:
El Salvador & Guatemala
with Ernesto Pinto
Currently planned for February (2010) |
Why this trip is important and helpful.
1. First of all, (as in the Guatemala trip) just your presence on this trip already accomplish something huge, because a portion of your fee will pay for and enable a pastor couple from El Salvador to attend the weekend FLN sponsored pastors training weekend. Following the training weekend, we will have the pleasure of traveling with Ernesto for several days, a great way to really get into the hearts and minds of the people of Central America. (A $200 tax receipt will be issued from FLN for this portion of the trip.) While this is not a massive expense for most of us, it is huge for these couples, most of whom live and minister in poor rural villages.
2. Secondly, You will be a significant encouragement to the pastor couples who we will meet during the weekend retreat.
3. This particular trip will dip us into 3 different countries, offering us an opportunity to “compare and contrast” on a fairly broad spectrum.
4. We want you to keep your eyes open for possible projects and partnerships with FLN in Central America. Let’s do some dreaming and vision work with Ernesto. Perhaps there is a project for you & some of your friends (or your church?) to create something really life-giving.
"It will be our pleasure to make this tour helpful, practical
and a huge learning experience. You will travel a fascinating country with a complex history in the company of hosts who are intimately knowledgeable with the people, their culture and history. 500 years of Spanish Catholic dominance overlapping 2000 years of Mayan history... form an incredible 
backdrop!
We will enjoy some evening discussions and learning experiences over coffee. We'll bring in some interesting people for you to meet and enter into the country's history and politics. We'll experience some eye-opening side trips. Ernesto will accompany us for a portion of our journey introducing us to some of the pastor couples bringing life into some of the smaller rural churches.
A primary goal of these tours is to inspire and delight you with the work FLN is doing around the world. We will give you an experience that will be practical & helpful, "comfortable" (at times very comfortable), full of beauty and informative. We want this to be a significant learning experience. We'll design a schedule with you so as to leave you time to wander, meet interesting people, read, shop, drink great coffee and pursue a few of your own interests. Our job is to bring you back both invigorated and relaxed! And inspired.
So come, let's do something wonderful together.
We will never be quite the same again.
Cost:
$2590 US.
This fare includes all Central American travel, tips, most meals, beautiful hotels, boats, photography lessons, guides in generally good humor, hosting with Ernesto Pinto, and creative side trips.
It does not include airfare or bad deals made in the local markets.
(We have excellent travel agents serving these trips.)
Note:Payment is made directly to Family Life Network with
a Donation receipt for $200 to be mailed back to each traveler.
2. El Salvador & Guatemala with Ernesto Pinto
February 2010
Daily Schedule:
Note: These plans to be read with the understanding
that plans WILL change slightly & that we WILL be "joyfully flexible".
Thursday, ...
Arrival & pickup at the Guatemala City international airport. We will meet formally at supper where we will do introductions and first orientation to Central America.
Friday, ...
Morning … We take the first of several beautiful cross country drives this morning, arriving mid-day at our hotel in El Salvadore … the EntrePinos resort. We will settle in & enjoy the facilities, as well as a good dinner together this evening. We will meet Ernesto Pinto here this evening.
Saturday, ...
This day will be a blend of “relational and observational”.
We will interact with the El Salvadorian Pastor couples retreat where appropriate (under Ernesto’s leadership) and also do some local exploration of the area.
Sunday, ...
We enjoy the morning with our host couples and then take a drive into Honduras to explore the Mayan ruins at Copan.
Monday, ...
A day of exploration and adventure among the 2000 year old Mayan ruins.
Tuesday, ...
We are off to the Ocean. Following a significant 4 hours or so through scenic Guatemalan countryside, we arrive at our destination of Monterrico, on the Guatemala el Salvador border.
A couple of days on a volcanic sand beach in thatched cottages surrounding 2 quiet pools will give us time for good conversation, excellent meals and even some photography lessons in the quiet of the day.
Wednesday, ...
Ocean-side Rest continues.
Today we take an evening cruise through the mangrove park famous in this area. (On wooden boats with our driver using a long pole to move us through this naturalist paradise) (This is exactly like Venice …except drivers do not sing, there are no buildings, the boats aren’t as good, water is cleaner, the place is lousy with birds & wildlife, etc.) (Otherwise pretty much an identical experience)
Thursday, ...
Bus picks us up for trip to stunning Lake Atitlan. (Approximately 4 hours). We’ll arrive mid-day at the Hotel Del Lago where for the next two days we will live in an all-inclusive setting.
Friday, February 20...
Lake Atitlan. This is one of the most beautiful lakes in the world... bordered by three (non-active) volcanoes. This afternoon we'll take a panoramic boat trip across the lake to the Mayan village of Santiago Atitlan. We’ll have opportunity to choose gifts and souvenirs of our Guatemalan experience by walking the markets not only of Santiago but also of the area surrounding our hotel.
This is a safe area and we will have a great time wandering the markets, lounging by the pools and eating some great meals.
We continue with good conversations around the excellent meals.
Saturday, ...
Mid afternoon we leave for our hotel in Antigua, 500 year old Colonial world heritage city, with cobble stone streets, arches, fountains, coffee shops, internet cafes and over 50 language schools teaching Spanish to travelers and students from around the world.
Sunday, February 22...
Morning activities with Ernesto & the FLN team ministries.
Lunch with total group
Afternoon… We head off for Antigua, a relaxed supper and open evening.
Monday, …
Morning Church service.
Free afternoon.
Supper together and a celebration with Ernesto to cap off our experience.
Tuesday, ...
Airport shuttles for the trip home.
Hotels being booked for this trip:
- In Guatemala City... Clarion Suites.
- In El Salvador... Entrepinos resort.
- Honduras (Copan)... to be announced.
- Guatemala (the ocean) Pez de Oro
- Lake Atitlan... Hotel Porto Dell Lago
- Antigua... to be confirmed (Hotel Antigua or Villa Colonial)
