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.