Tuesday in Guatemala

Today was quite a busy day. We woke up this morning and had eggs and pancakes made by GR and Lynn. They were awesome!! After we washed all of our dishes in the Pila we had our morning devotions as a team.

When devotions were over the RHI team came over and we headed out to Maria and Casimero's home to work on some projects. This sweet family has three daughters and one son living in a one room house. We wanted to put in a new stove for them and a gutter system so that the rain wouldn't just run off of the tin roof. It was such a great time of fellowship with them. They had a new puppy and some baby chicks and all of the kids enjoyed playing with the animals. Casimero bought us drinks and snacks. It was humbling to see them bless us. The girls colored with their daughters and put stickers on their nails. Some of the boys started playing soccer with Casimero. When we got the projects done they were so very thankful. Maria started cooking right away and made us tortillas on the new stove. It really was an awesome time with this sweet family.

Putting on a gutter

The old stove

 

Maria making tortillas on the new stove

Putting in the new stove

Inside their home

 

We then went back home to eat some lunch and take a break for a little while. It has been very nice to have these break times built in to our schedule. It gives us a time to process and rest. It was then time for ....what else? more soccer!!! We joined up with many of the kids that the RHI team ministers to in the after school program. We divided up into teams and played with the kids. It was awesome to see many of the same faces that we saw before. The little ones especially were very excited to see us. At the end Christian shared a verse and prayed with the kids. It was awesome to see our kids reach out to them.

 



Next it was time for our first family visits. The RHI team visits their families once a week to fellowship, talk, and give them food. This isn't food isn't meant to be a main meal, but a supplement. Many of these families do not purchase fruits and vegetables but instead stick to the typical beans, rice, and tortilla diet. So the RHI team tries to provide them with some other nutritious food for the week. We split up into teams of three and went to Amelia, Dominga, and Sebastiana's homes. It was hard to see how these families live every day compared to how blessed we are. They were so appreciative of our visit and for the food. We were able to pray for them and just talk to them about their relationship with Jesus and their daily lives. They are constantly praising God for the things that they have and how He loves them. To be totally honest, it wasn't easy to see. There is a part of you that just wants to fix it all. Wave a wand and make their lives easier. And yet their faith is so strong in the midst of their trials. Their love for Jesus come out in all that they say. It truly is humbling. We have so much in the States and yet our gratitude is so little compared to theirs.

After the visits, we went home and then had dinner with the RHI team. PIZZA!!! It was a great evening of fellowship. It has also been really great to see Lynn spend time with his family. He has loved hugging his grandkids and just coming alongside Emily and Rick. It has been really special to see the reunion that they are having together. After dinner the RHI team left and then our team played some vicious games of Spot It and Dutch Blitz. There was so much laughter, yelling, and trash talk going on. It was awesome!! We really are becoming very close as a team and it is a privilege to work together.

It really was a great day!!!