This was a big day traveling to see Andre’s’s family that lives in San Antonia Suchitepequez.

Andres met his biological mom Maria (now being referred to as his gmom) and all but one of his brothers and sisters. Andres’s biological dad (Cesar) couldn’t make it as he couldn’t leave work from Antigua. But luckily, we are going to be able to meet him when we go to Antigua later this week.

We also met a grandma, two aunts (tias) and a tio (Guermo) on his dad’s side that all live next door.

It was so happy and yet sad at the same time. Maria was crying and couldn’t stop hugging on Andres. In fact Andres said, everyone was starring and hugging on me left and right). She told Laura that she never could forgive herself for giving Nadre up, and has always been so unhappy ever since. But today seemed to be a day that she had dreamed about. She told Laura that she wanted to hold Andres in her arms at least once again before she died. She brought out the small shirt that Andres had on the day he was born. It was the last time she had Andres in her arms.

She also gave Andres a bracelet to remember her by, saying that she always has him in her heart.

Andres said that he not only feels like he knows them so much better but said one of the day’s highlights was getting the bracelet from Maria.

His siblings are:

• Brandon is his oldest brother at age 23. We met him and his wife that live in the same house. He works as a welder.
• Ceciia is his oldest sister. She is 20 and getting married in May. After getting married she will move in with her husband’s family. This will leave a big hole in the house for Maria as Ceciia was the caretaker for the family as Maria often had to work far away for long stretches of months at a time.
• There is another sister that we didn’t meet that is married. Her husband did not give her permission to come.
• Cesar is 14 and is his second oldest brother.
• Esau is another brother that is 13.
• Christopher Steven is 11 (his middle name comes from big Steve, daddy)
• Traci is almost 4 and the youngest of all the brothers and sisters. She had a wonderful time playing with Taina and Yvelore as much as she could.

The day before we arrived was a day that Maria was able to pay off the house, and now no longer needs to work far away for long stretches at a time. With her earnings, Brandon and the help of a nephew (that she raised), she was able to get enough money and thus no longer needs to pay rent!

The house is where everyone sleeps (four beds) and eats, with the bathroom and kitchen outside. They live by a rive that allows them to get access to fresh water for bathing, cooking, and laundry.