Day Four: The House Build

We had been waiting on the house building project with high anticipation for the whole week.  We had no idea what to expect with this task but we knew that it was going to be life-changing, not only for the family we would be building a home for, but also for ourselves.  All we knew about the logistics of the project was that it was going to be high up on the mountain. 

After a VERY steep climb while carrying all of our tools and equipment (and about 3 stops to take a breathing break!) we reached a tin wall with a makeshift metal gate.  Inside of that gate was the Gonzalez family.  A family of grandparents, parents, and three children live in this tiny compound of about 2 sleeping buildings:

The family had running water, but their bathroom is a makeshift shack covered in tarps and cloths.  Inside of the structure is a cement toilet....which was basically a cement circle with a hole in the middle:

The kitchen is just a lean-to off of the back of the house with a table and a flat surface that had ashes on it where we assume the cooking is done: 



We got to meet Karla, the Gonzalez's five-year-old granddaughter who lives with her family in a little shack right behind the grandparent's home: 

Her brothers, Kevin and Estiven, were attending school at the bottom of the hill.  We were able to meet them later in the afternoon after Karla and her mother went down to pick them up. 



 Our first task was to unload all of the materials and organize everything into sections.  The home consisted of two panels on the front, back, and both sides, four roof panels, and one interior wall.  The two boxes that everything was packed in weighed about 700-800 pounds each and were carried up the mountain by about 10 men each.  After having just trekked up the same mountail trail with our tools, we had a hard time imagining how in the world they did that. 

 Everyone quickly found a job to do, whether it was framing up the walls, installing insulation, installing the metal siding, or talking with the family.  Pretty soon, we were working in a pretty good rhythm!

Karla formed a special bond with Alicia.  The play-doh made for a great ice-breaker with this shy little girl and it wasn't long before Alicia had herself a constant shadow for the day!  Karla is such a precious child and she was very interested in all of the work that was being done at her house.  

And we MIGHT have over-worked Clay, one of the Iglesia Del Camino workers!  He's been an invaluable part of our mission this week, providing translator services, a major helping hand, and comic relief :) 

As we worked on this home.....the gravity of what we were doing hit us all.  Mr. Gonzalez is a boot maker and his entire family lives in this tiny area.  The edge of the mountain is a mere 6 feet away from their home.  We realized that without someone helping them in this way, they would never have been able to do this for themselves.  Just being able to give something like this to another is a feeling that is indescribable.  To be able to help provide a home for someone else....to afford them shelter and show them that someone out there cares for them....there are no words that can adequately portray the feelings and emotions.  It is God's love being shown in a tangible way!  And we cannot thank Him enough for allowing us to be a part of this.  When you feel so small and feel as if you can't make any sort of impact in the life of another....well, just watching the little face of Karla as she saw this new home being erected for her family dispels any of those feelings.  This morning, Suzanne's Bible verse was Philipians 4:13:  "I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me".  and that is the TRUTH!!  We can and HAVE done all things this week....and it's all been through the strength of Christ.  We've seen that truth over and over again in the past few days and we thank God for showing us! 

Thank you all for your prayers this week.  Please continue to pray for us tomorrow as we travel to see the Aztec Ruins and then hike back up the mountain to pray with Gonzalez family and bless their home.  I pray that we can touch their hearts in a way that will show them the love of Christ.  Tomorrow will be our last day in Antigua, so please also pray for our travels home. 

We will post more on the completion of the home and on our trip to an indigenous village on the side of the volcano!  God is doing some amazing things in this country :)

In Him,
The Guatemala Team