Pictures from Today's Services

The funeral was held in the teacher's lounge, where the visitation was held last night. Chairs were set up in rows with many more rows of chairs outside on the sidewalk and a speaker projecting the service for those outside to hear.

Josue and Sammy watching the service through the window.

The pallbearers carrying the casket from the teachers' lounge to the hearse. I was impacted seeing the picture on the right which captured the grief of Chepe's friends. Ramsis, Jon and Ruben from the Home served as pallbearers. The others were friends from school.

Loading the casket into the hearse.

Waiting to walk to the cemetery -- there was a huge turnout

Juan and his mother in the hearse.

Beginning the walk to the cemetery, following the hearse.

Funeral procession through the streets of Villa Neuva.

Funeral procession entering the cemetery.

Entrance to the Las Gardenias -- the private burial section of the cemetery.

Pictures of the private burial section of the cemetery. You can see Chepe's burial site (there is a green canopy) on the far left side of the left picture. In the right picture, you can see over the wall in the distance the red roof of the three story apartment building on the new property at the children' s home.

Kendon and Wendy walking with Jon.

Carrying the casket from the hearse to the burial site.

The crowd at the burial site.

It is the custom in Guatemala for the father to say a few words at the grave site. Kendon paid a wonderful tribute to Chepe speaking of his big, beautiful smile and obedient nature, among other things. In the picture on the left, you can see Juan and his mother standing by Kendon.

Sonya (one of the home mothers) comforting Emely.

As mentioned before, the custom in Guatemala is to stay at the grave site as the casket is lowered into the ground and covered with dirt. This was an emotional time and many students threw flowers and notes into the grave. Flowers also were placed on the top of the burial site.