High Places: Guatemala Day 3

But if I say I’ll never mention the Lord or speak in his name, his word burns in my heart like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can’t do it! Jeremiah 20:9 NLT

We had a wonderful day of ministry today.

Run down of the day:

Our morning started early, we met at 6:30am for breakfast and devotion. Jamie Gann led the devotion this morning, from Luke 12:7 (more on this later). Afterward, we loaded up on the bus and headed to Rincon Chiquito, where we are working this week. About half of our group headed to the construction site to build a house, while the other half went to the local school to do VBS. Around lunch time, the VBS crew joined the construction crew. We had packed sandwiches for lunch, but the family we are building the house for surprised us by cooking lunch for us (carne asada, rice, picante sauce, tamaltias and corn). We ate with them under an avocado tree. After lunch we finished up the house including installing a new stove. We then headed back to the mission house for supper and a time of reflection before bed.

Reflections on the Day:

1. The day started with a wonderful devotion by Jamie. She talked about sitting on her porch at home thinking about what she would say when it was her turn to lead. She said God drew her attention to a firefly and how He created it to light up and shine. She talked about how beautiful it was and how God cared about the details of even the smallest bugs. She read the passage from Luke that talks about how God has the very hairs on our head numbered, and He cares about every little detail of our lives. She also pointed out that though one lightening bug is beautiful, when many of them light up together, it is a masterpiece. She encouraged us to watch throughout the day for at least one little thing that reminds us of how much God cares. Most of us found more than one.

2. The VBS crew had a great day. There were 60 kids in three age groups. They did music, crafts, games and Bible study with them. Our folks fell in love with the kids and said all the kids were excited and involved in everything they did. They were so welcoming and friendly to our group. When Lydia read the Bible study, and asked questions about Jesus and what He did for us, many of the kids knew the answers and she could tell that they had been taught the word of God. Our team was helped by a local pastor's wife who is also over the school program. They can't wait to get back tomorrow.

3. Our construction crew did amazing work. We were led by Vinicio and Mono from Servants Hearts Ministries. They have built many of these houses. When we arrived at the job sight, the concrete slab and two rows of blocks were laid. The home is about 12x12 square. When we left, the house was finished along with a new stove and an eco water filter. Working with local materials was a little challenging, but our team handled everything that came up. Vinicio and Mono were great to work with. They were incredibly patient with us and we worked well together. A couple of people on our team had never done any kind of construction work before, but by the end of the day everyone had a turn with a skill saw, screw guns and other tools. It was a great experience and we get to do it again tomorrow.

4. The picture at the top is the couple for whom we built the house today. Their names are Francisco (aka "Poncho") and Maria. They are both in their 70's and have been living with their son, who is an alcoholic and would be abusive toward them. They would often have to sleep in a shack on the property when he was like that. The place where we built the house is where the shack used to be. Francisco tore down the old shack by himself, and Servants Hearts came a couple of weeks ago and poured the concrete and laid the block in preparation for us. The funds we raised and sent ahead of us purchased all of the supplies including the concrete, blocks, wood, sheet metal and even a new stove (pictured behind Francisco and Maria. They were overwhelmed at their new place. Francisco kept calling it "his mansion." They were both so appreciative and overwhelmed. Francisco kept praising the Lord. We will be going back on Wednesday to deliver a food box and dedicate the house.

5. The meal the family provided truly humbled us. The food was cooked on an open fire there at the property by Francisco and Maria's daughters and granddaughters (some of their grandchildren and great grandchildren were also in our Bible School). Lydia said the type of meat they provided would have come at a significant cost to them. Francisco said he had no way to repay us so he wanted to feed us to show his gratitude. It was truly a humbling experience to see the sacrifice they made for us.

6. Once again our team has handled challenges with grace and unity. The Spirit of the Lord is definitely at work in our group drawing us closer together as He draws us closer to Himself. Please continue to pray for us - for our physical and spiritual strength, our boldness to witness, unity and the wisdom to see where God is working and to join Him. Also pray for Samuel, who is our bus driver this week. In talking with him Lydia learned that he is nominally Catholic. He attended church with us on Sunday and seemed to enjoy the service, Please pray that the love of Jesus will show through and Christ would draw Samuel to Himself.

Below are a few pics from the construction site. Hopefully I will have some from VBS on the next update.