Tuesday SOL 11/1/16 - Guatemala 2016 - #2

Last week's SOL was the beginning of our mission/build trip to Totonicapan, Guatemala.  The second day was much of the same - cutting wire, tying rebar, bending rebar, and watching the trenches being slowly dug.  The ground was rock hard clay.  The pick axe and shovels had a hard time making a dent into the ground, but the mason's helpers persevered and the trench grew deeper and wider each day.  They dug down about 3-1/2 feet and 18 - 20 inches wide.  Some of our males team members helped, but soon turned it back over to the helpers.

It took all week to finally get the trenches deep enough to set the corner rebar pieces and pour some cement.  The footings would soon follow, but we didn't get to see that happen.  This is the first year that we haven't seen some blocks laid and the beginning of a house.  But, all the work that we accomplished helped the mason and his helpers so they could start laying the blocks.  I'm sure by now, a week later, that they have most of the walls in place.  These homes usually take about 45 days to complete and with our help, they could shave off about 5 days.

Wednesday afternoon we had a cultural event and visited with a weaver and a potter.  Both were in their 60's and had been working their trade for many years, learning it as a child.  The weaver showed us the process after getting the wool from the sheep, dying the yarn, weaving the blanket, brushing it to make it soft and the finished product.















The potter had learned his trade as a child also.  At one time there were 30 potters in the city, but currently there are only two.  No one, other than a nephew has learned the trade and will continue to product beautiful plates, bowls, tiles, etc.  Many of us brought home some of his awesome pottery.


The rest of the week continued as the beginning.  We had a great team working together, laughing with the family and masons and playing with the kids.  It was so rewarding and humbling to serve with these people and to help them get a home of their own.

Our final day was in Antigua and was a free day to shop and sightsee.  One of the places that we visited was the Cerro De La Cruz - the Cross protecting the north side of Antigua.  The view was absolutely breathtaking.  The volcano top covered with clouds, the city looming far and wide, the sky bluer than blue and all of the mountains surrounding the city.

We did some shopping for local products and of course, I had to make a stop at the Jade Factory and pick up a piece of jewelry (another Happy Birthday to me present).

We ended the day with a wonderful dinner at Epicure and sent some of the group on their way to go on their fishing excursion.  The rest of us headed to the hotel to get a few hours sleep before we headed home.

As I've said after each of my last three years, this had been an unbelievable experience.  This trip was no exception.   I return home and look at all that we have here in the States and all that we take for granted.  I thank God for the experience and for all of our blessings.   The Guatemalan people do not take their gifts for granted, they praise God and thank Him and us for taking a week away from our families to help them.  They are loving and accepting people and have become our family too.