I was told on my last visit to San Lucas Mission in Guatemala (2009), that a part of you will always stay in San Lucas~ that was especially true for me.  The people of San Lucas have never left my heart.  I prayed how God could use me to help their family.  I learned how on this last trip November 22-Dec 2 while traveling with 13 others.

 

     The more I've gotten to know Bonifacio Cuz Tzunun and his family the past 4 1/2 years through letter writing, the more connected I felt.  I wanted to share that connection with everyone else... especially with you my faith community.  Bonifacio was orphaned at 7 months old.  His mother was brought to the San Lucas clinic and died. Bonifacio was found, very sick in his mother's back-sling.  He was taken to Casa Feliz Orphanage and there he grew up with the other 175 orphans and became an adoptive son to Father Greg Schaffer, the founder of San Lucas Mission.

    As Bonifacio grew up, he married his beautiful bride, Anna.  They have been married over 18 years.  They have six children and learned in 2007 that their seven year old daughter, Ana (Anita) had leukemia.  Years of chemotherapy treatments, and numerous trips to Guatemala City each week, the family was sponsored by Father Greg financially, just to feed their family.

     I visited them on my last trip to San Lucas in 2009 with a group from Fulda, Mn.  I was fortunate enough to write Bonifacio and Anita's stories.

There was something about their family... they are so humble and meek.  They are quiet mannered and have a strong faith. 

    I learned that a hurricane ripped through Guatemala three years ago.

Bonifacio's humble home was built of pieces of wood, corrugated metal and plastic.  Their family lost everything in the torrential flood waters.

Luckily, there was no loss of life. They built up the land and started over.

 

    Also during that time, Father Greg's health began to deteriorate (he was diagnosed with melanoma) and he needed to move back to the U.S.  It was a very sad time, knowing that he wouldn't have Father Greg near his family.

Sadly, Father Greg died May, 2012.  He had touched so many people...over

25,000 people mourned his death. 

      One this trip, I spoke with Bonifacio and his wife Anna at length. I asked them of their hopes and dreams... and Bonifacio shared of someday having  a home of his own....a cement block home.  And I knew that was how I could help him... to help build his family a permanent home.  This

Christmas, I plan to donate towards building Bonifacio his "dream home".   I

have been very blessed in my life and want to give something that I know will make a difference. I want to keep my promise that I made to Father Greg, that I would not forget the people of San Lucas.

 If you feel called to help or donate, please contact Nichole Paladie,

507-932-3294 or email:  triparishff@hbcsc.net.