Last Few Days.

I'm in my last few days here in Guatemala.  Next week is my last week at the project.  I will finish up on Thursday and use Friday and Saturday to prepare for heading home on Sunday.  My flight leaves at 8:00 am which means I should take the 4:00 shuttle. I really don't want to hang out at the airport for all that time, not do I want to be up at 3:00.  I'm pretty sure taking the 5:00 shuttle will get me there still with plenty of time to spare.

As I reflect on my time here, a phrase used by someone at the small church I attended stays in my mind.  When we were discussing the number of people begging in the streets of Antigua, and how difficult it is to walk by not knowing who to give to, he commented that he does not give to those he considers to be "professional beggars."  

What exactly is a "professional beggar?"  Are there people who choose to be poor and therefore decide that they want to provide for themselves and their children by sitting on hot sidewalks all day long breathing in the fumes and exhaust from the inordinate number of cars and buses that are on the roads of Antigua? Do these women, children, disabled and elderly folks decide that they would prefer to spend their days looking at hundreds of people pass them by who barely notice their existence? Is there some reward to watching other people walk by eating the sandwich or some delicious treat from the ice cream store while one's children look on with hunger in their eyes?  Professional Beggar:  I wonder what type of benefits entice someone to choose that line of work?  Is there special training that one must receive before taking up their place on the street corner, or in the middle of the park, or at the entrance way of the church?  

"Professional Beggar:"  May God lead us all to work towards the day when no one will need or want to take such a position.

Hasta Luego