Tuesday SOL 10/25/16 - My Birthday Gift To Me - My mission/build trip to Guatemala

The beautiful countryside
I have been truly blessed - this was my fourth mission/build trip to Guatemala.  I always refer to it as my birthday present to me since it usually falls around my birthday.  I'm still trying to process all that took place this past week, so I'll only share part of my story now.

We (there were 16 of us - some who had been on other trips and some newbies) left early on Saturday flying to Guatemala City and then on to Antigua for the night.  Up early and on our way to Totonicapan - a small town northwest of Guatemala City, up in the mountains.  We reached an elevation of over 8000 feet.

Grandma Leonor
Monday morning after breakfast, we piled into the vans (two groups going to two different work sites).   What a reception we received from our family!  We were helping with a house for a young family - Neal, Kathy & their 18 month old little girl.  Neal worked in transportation, driving a "chicken" bus (the main transportation of the Guatemalan people) and Kathy was a kindergarten teacher. Grandma Leonor welcomed us along with the mason and his crew.

Shortly afterward we began our work - moving blocks from the road to nearer the house, cutting rebar and wires, forming rebar squares, talked, laughed, and played with the kids.  Needless to say it was a busy first day and we all came back sore, but filled with joy.


Making Rebar Ladders

Bending rebar to make squares for the rebar ladders


Fun times with the kids
I'll share more of my experience next week.  It was an awesome journey and one that won't be forgotten.  Blessed

Comments

  1. AnonymousOctober 25, 2016 at 12:20 PM

    What a wonderful and rewarding experience. This truly demonstrates the meaning of helping others.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kristi LonheimOctober 25, 2016 at 12:45 PM

    What a great bday present to keep giving to yourself and others. I wonder how you got started on this journey.

    ReplyDelete

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