Relaxation in Antigua

Excitement abounds! The first warm shower in over a week for some of us. The relaxing, beautiful grounds of the Lutheran Center here in Antigua are most welcome. We will spend today learning a little about Mayan culture and some of the church history of the area. Not particularly relishing the thought of 17 hours by bus, plane and car tomorrow but sure am looking forward to being home

Dedication Ceramonies

Dedication CeramonyCross Presentation

Celso's Home

Beverly

Quilt  Presentation

House Plaque

Ribbon Cutting

Rosa's Gratitude

We gathered Wednesday in the 100 degree heat of Las Majades outside of Zapace, Guatemala for the Christian dedication of the two homes that the FIL crew finished during our construction mission trip.  Shade obviously was at a premium.  Once we had done as much as we could outside, we moved inside for the balance of the dedication.  After the Pastor's remarks, Jack Baker presented each family with an LCMS cross that he had crafted in his wood shop.  We also were pleased to present each member of both families with a quilt lovingly made especially for each person by the quilting ladies at FIL.  Celso's family had lost everything in a storm about 10 months ago so the quilts are going to be a special blessing for their family.  Because of a total lack of a decent bed (they were sleeping on some squares of foam rubber) our mission team chipped in to buy them three roll-up mattresses.

One of Celso's daughters--8 year old Beverly--caught our attention early on.  We determined that she could barely hear.  Because of this, she also had very limited speech.  These impediments caused school districts to refuse her entry, which will pretty much keep her on the bottom rung of life's ladder.  We were pleased to be able to make arrangements for a CALMS medical team to take a look at her tomorrow (Thursday) with the sincere hope that she might be helped in some way.  Her picture shows the two pieces of cut ribbon from their front door that have been crafted into a belt and a necklace for her by Chipeeto, the president of the local church board.  He is a very talented and dedicated man who was instrumental in the huge success of our GBS (Guatemalan Bible School).  We probably have already mentioned this but our whole team, and all of you that made contributions at FIL, should be proud of this.  We grew from just over 40 on the first day to 104 on the last day!  Without all of your coloring books and other donations, it would not have had the success that we did.

Moving up the hill to Rosa's house, we had a dedication ceremony for her home.  We have shown a plaque.  A similar plaque is placed on both homes to show the involvement of First Immanuel.  Each of you that donated a bag of cement, a wheelbarrow, pair of gloves or other donation were instrumental in making this possible.  You did not have to be able to understand Spanish to hear the gratitude and thankfulness of each family, but especially Rosa.  In her 90's, she had never dared to dream of such a wonderful home.  Our mission team chipped in to buy her a set of plates and dishes, which she needed badly.  Thanks again to all that helped make this mission trip a success.



Final phase of Construction - Electrical, Windows and Doors

Day 4 and the final day of actual construction.
Today both houses needed to be wired, the windows put in, and the doors.  I had a chance to meet my frend from last year Marcello who I helped replace the church roof.  He is also the one who put the roofs on last year.  However we did that this year, only Marcello put the windows and doors on.  As you can see in the photos the doors get welded to the rebar that is sticking out of the doorway.  It shows his helper welding the doors. 

Also my friend Nils, his cousin Diego and I wired both houses.  You can see in the photos how that is done.
We finished up the wireing, Niko added steps to the house and they are all set for tomorrows dedication.  God has blessed us with good weather 95 +. and we finished on time.

A note to the medical team.
Yesterday we took the wheelchair to La Avazanda.  What a ride!!!!!!!!!!!.  Many of you have asked me how the roads are and I replied great.  We very seldom travel on a dirt road.  From Glulan we keep climbing up, up, and up until we traveled on top of the mountains.  When we were close we turned off the paved road on a gravel road.  I thought it was an old gravel dirveway and would only go a block.  We traveled about another 3 miles on washed out gravel.  But not to worry we had a good 6 inches to spare from the cliff!1!

Thanks for following.

Jack Baker



One of the most exciting things Mary & I have ever done is to go back to Los Limonis on Sunday afternoon.  This is where we helped others from FIL build a couple of homes two years ago.  I have to say I had questioned how much we were helping an area just by building a home.  The difference in this area in just two years made my jaw drop!!  Many more homes have been built but the noticeable improvements in the economy were astounding.  Kids were in much better health; there are now several stores in the area so people don't have to go clear into town for supplies; they now have electricity availalable.  And water!!!!  There are now hydrants instead of plastic tanks that get filled occasionally.  There is water so people can grow their own vegetables through irrigation.  CALMS efforts in this area have obviously prodded the government into improvements to help the people long before they could have gotten them otherwise.  The lady we built for (Olympia) has added on twice.  It was really exciting to see how well they are all taking care of their properties.  I am now much more optimistic about the impact we can have through our simple efforts.  Rich Erickson

Last Day of Construction

What a glorious day today was!   The homes are complete and ready for tomorrow's dedications.  We had the largest group of children for GBS too.  We had 104 people who all had a fabulous time, making salvation necklaces, playing soccer and bursting a pinata. 

I even did a little bit of work today on the job site, mostly shoveling sand and rock as we had to dig a drainage ditch and clean up the yard.  It was wonderful to dig in and help out.

We just finished another fantastic meal catered by Professor Carlos's family and are enjoying a slight breeze and telling stories.
 
It's been a great trip and I feel so very blessed to be part of it.  I've made new friends and renewed old friendships.

Tomorrow we will head to the market and purchase mattresses; as this family of 10 have no beds to sleep on.  We'll also look for something for Rosa's family as well.  The afternoon will be filled with the dedication.

We are all very excited for tomorrow to come and see the completion of our work and the blessings our Lord has bestowed on these deserving families.  I pray He continues to bless them each and every day.

Mary