Mission Accomplished!

Today was our last full day of being here in Guatemala. The morning started again at Vilma and Antonio’s home where we finished nailing in the last remaining boards of their new “Casa” (house). During construction, a couple of our team members were able to sit down with Vilma and Gaby (our interpreter). Vilma shared with sadness and tears, the loss of two of her children (one at 4 years old from a brain tumor and the other at 16 from murder). She continued to tell us about her home being destroyed by the flood and hopelessness she felt. The tone quickly changed when we asked Vilma about the impact that NationWares and CH Global has had on her and her families lives. Vilma praises God for the challenges they have faced because they know God is faithful. They now have hope because of the opportunities that come from employment through NationWares and the security of having a safe home to raise their family.

After completion, we had the family gather in front of their place as Rudy hoped into his mini van (aka bus). We all began shouting “BUS DRIVER…MOVE THAT BUS!!!” Rudy’s old van squeaked forward, revealing the CH Global style Extreme Makeover!

Next we had the privilege of presenting each member of their family with gifts from a host of supporters from Canada. They received backpacks, blankets, school and personal supplies, toys, clothing, shoes, and food. They were overwhelmed with joy and it was such an excitement to watch them un-wrap their new belongings. Through tears, Antonio shared how much his new home and these gifts meant to him and his family. He praised God for a dream come true and asked us to continue to serve others in the same way.

The home was dedicated to their youngest daughter Ashley. “Ashley Home” was inscribed by the front door and signed underneath by each member of the Canadian team. When we all prayed together, both Antonio and Pastor asked that God would bless our team. Little did they know, God has already blessed us beyond measure by giving us this opportunity.

The afternoon saw the wrap up of the children’s program at the training center in LakeAmatitlan. Today we greeted sixty one kids who took part in learning English, completing a craft and hearing God’s message. Imagine hearing the voices of sixty one Spanish speaking children sing “My God is so Big” in English and to know they understood the meaning of the words they sang…no matter what hardships they face in Lake Amatitlan, their God is strong and mighty and that there is nothing their God cannot do.

While this is likely the end of our mission trip blogging, we know it is by no means the end of the mission. Thank you to all for your prayers and your support…we look forward to seeing what God has in store for our brothers and sisters in Guatemala.

Stay tuned…

The Last Wall!

Ashley Home - Finished!

Blessing Vilma, Antonio and Family!

"Ashley Home"

Can I take this one home with me?

VBS - Last day, Group shot.

Guatemala Extreme Makeover!

"Move That Bus!!!!!"

Miracles in Guatemala!

We knew what the plan was for this trip and we were well prepared. But, there is just some things that you can probably never prepare for……in addition to our schedule of house building, which is going very well (more on that later) and the children’s program (same…. Later…) we had opportunity to visit the Pastor that is working with us on Vilma and Antonio’s home. I think we thought, great we get to see a bit more of Lake Amatitlan life as it really is, but I don’t think we really knew what that meant. First the journey further up the mountain side took us past huge earth trenches, the scars left by the storm that took out Vilma’s home and the homes of about 50 others. Large piles of earth remain that has been pushed to the side or just left as is. This picture is of a traditional kitchen sink, left where it was, and now it is buried, obviously someone’s home before the storm.

On the walk up the mountain, we learned more about the flood waters that came rushing down the mountain. These waters gave vilma only moments to escape, in fact she didn’t. Neighbors were able to rush in and get Ashley out (daughter who is disabled) but Vilma was caught up on the mud and was rescued later by the emergency crews. In that moment they lost everything!

Once at Pastors house we met his wife and one son. This son has significant disabilities himself, and but nothing compared to what was. Pastor tells of the miracles that have happened in his son’s life, to allow him to walk, see and LIVE! God is at work in Lake Amatitlan, pastor told of many other miracles happening in his community.

Once at Pastors house we were joined by a few more people. We quickly learned that one was Yolanda, an older woman that was clearly struggling physically. A large tumor was growing on her neck and she is in the later stages of lung cancer, she coughed with every breath and winced in pain. Yet in her pain she was excited to see us…. She had been praying with others in the morning and God told her that Angles would arrive to bless her and pray for her. To Yolanda and to the God that sent us, we were those angels, a very humbling thought. We prayed for Yolanda’s healing, we cried together and in our discussion we pressed into God’s kingdom deeper and deeper reflecting on how we would be together in heaven with out a language to separate us. Yolanda thanked us and said (translated) “I know I will die, I ask that you keep doing God’s work with your hands, like you are doing in building Vilma a house”

From there we retuned to Vilma’s and continued construction. Today the outside walls were finished and the roof was started. Antonio started to lay the concrete floor in one room.

Then in the afternoon it was the kids program. We taught English, we played games and did crafts. The numbers grew to 59 today! And each day we feel like we are getting to know the kids more, their community more and their potential more.

Tonight we pack some love gifts we plan to give to Vilma and her family as well as the Pastor and his family, as tomorrow is our last full day here in Guatemala. While we do that the girls here at the home are busy with the food stand that sells traditional Guatemalan drinks and food, all made here during the day and sold in the evening. This business has been running for less than a month and is starting to turn a profit, both in money and in the skills and future it offers the ladies.

Good night – Dave

Construction at the end of the day

Bracelets with the kids today

A reminder of the two very different worlds we live in

Yolanda " continue God's work with your hands"

Yolanda (left )and Vilma

Praying for Yolanda

Pastor, his wife and son, hearing their story.

At our feet - the top of what was a Guatemalan sink and someone's home. filled in now with the earth that ran down the mountain.

This is where the water rushed through the town. Destroying many homes. Pastor told of the flood waters rushing past the front of the church and behind the church, but the church was untouched.

The emergency shelters that families are living in since their homes were destroyed.

Almost 4 walls up!!!!! Day 5

Day 5 started with helping to build Vilma and her family’s home. There was lots of action going on around the house. There were more supplies to be purchased and lots of little hands waiting and hoping to help as well. Vilma’s children are so proud to be a part of building their new home. Even though since the hurricane and volcano eruption, this family’s faith has remained strong and steady. Before the work began we all took some time to reflect and thank God for all the blessings that are going on here and all over the world. We all feel this is the Guatemala version of “Extreme Home Makeover”. Each person’s contribution is so vital to the completing the project on time. The family’s Pastor has been there everyday helping to build along with everyone. He has been such an encouragement to the family and the team. He too knows what it is like to live through hard times and depend on God for everything each day. With the work that was completed today we are on track for completing the project on time before we all have to say goodbye.

For the third day of VBS we had 55 children arrive eager to participate in the songs, crafts and English teachings! Our true desire is to see each one come to know Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. The children were eager to learn the words to Jesus Loves Me in English, and doing the actions to the song seemed to enhance their ability to understand the words that they were singing!!

The relationship that we are building through God with these children and their families is something that will change all of our lives forever.

Darlene & Brenda

how the day started

how the day ended - PROGRESS!

Asheley and a brother

Vilma

Bendición de Dios (God's blessings)

Today we made our first trip into Lake Amatitlan to Vilma and Antonio’s home, along with their six children. Their home was destroyed by a combination of the hurricane and the erupting volcano…we were told this story by William, the oldest son. He told us about how the waters came down and washed out his home and all their belongings. Amongst all this devastation, the family remained so joyful and thankful for each other and Christian Horizon’s help. Each and every one of them were such a blessing to our team-reminding us how much we have and how little we actually need.

By the end of the morning, we put up the first two walls. The brick foundation was laid prior to our arrival-preventing such destruction from occurring again. Us girls were so proud of ourselves…we have mastered the skill of the hammer! Dave managed to not make fun of us, while instructing us how to use the tools. Rudy announced at the beginning of the day that this was “Guatemala’s version of Extreme Makeover!”

Today we were able to meet and hold Vilma’s youngest daughter, Ashley. She is severely disabled; deaf, blind and unable to walk. She also suffers from seizures-we witnessed many throughout the day. Our hearts broke for her, but she is so blessed and surrounded by a family that clearly loves and adores her.

The afternoon brought our second day of VBS. We were told that a bus would arrive full of twenty children. To our surprise, a small truck with the kids packed into the back of the pick up arrived! We sang songs, did crafts, played games and taught the children English words and colours. The message today from Ephesians 6:16 was on “the shield of faith”. Slowly our Spanish is improving and we are able to communicate with the children…. “Hasta Manana” (until tomorrow!)

Buddies

The very start of Vilma and Antonio's home

Craft time at VBS

God's greatest blessing

"The Power of One"

This is what fell from the sky after the volcano erupted

Michelle and Ashely

Dave giving Carrie a few pointers on using a hammer

VBS Started - Day 3

Imagine a trip through Guatamala City looking for a “dollar store” to purchase 300 gifts for the kids in El Zapitillo, and God provided a store that just opened for the first time on Sunday to meet all our needs. Gifts were purchased for Vilma and her six children. We can’t wait to bless this family. Tomorrow we begin building their new home.

We started the VBS today in the new community center that was built a year ago by a previous team. We were thrilled to see the children coming through the doors with such anticipation of what is to come. I don’t know who was blessed by this day more, the children or the team. We had 27 children come and are expecting double tomorrow! The focus is to bring God closer to these children and to help expand their English vocabulary through various songs and games. The excitement that filled the center today was truly a gift from God, a great encouragement to what is to come throughout the week. When the children were picked up by their families they continued to sing in the street, My God is so Strong, My God is so Mighty! Of course with the actions included!!!

"mommy, i love you"

gifts for the children of El Zapotillo

Learning "My God is so Big!" in English

Dave got right into the t-shirt painting - sort of....

Jorge leading a lesson on the belt of truth.

The sediment removed from the river after the Hurricane and Volcano - check out the river banks.

Having fun with a parachute!

Guatemala Ministry Team Nov 2010 - Day 1 and 2

Nov 19

Volunteers arrive in Guatemala (Day 1)

5 Canadian volunteers arrived in Guatemala yesterday. The journey for many of them included 36 hours with only short naps between the bouts of turbulence in the plane and involved a 12 hour bus ride, long boarder waits and so on.... but the important part is that all 5 of use did connect at the Detroit airport (most meeting each other for the first time)and we continued on from there. Needless to say our first evening in Guatemala was pretty low key, but that's not so say we haven't already been greatly impacted by Rudy, Sully and everyone here. We had opportunity to be introduced to all the ladies supported at the San Christobal family home and to hear some of the stories of there journeys and the impacts and opportunities that CH's ministry in Guatemala is having. We also saw some of the economic develop that is happening as a couple of men worked into the evening on leather products that is a key component of generating income/ employment, developing skills and building hope and enjoy some local fair that is being sold from a food stand here at the home, again, part of the skill development, income and hope generating that happens on a daily basis. Rudy and Sully (Guatemala Directors) took us through a brief history of the ministry in Guatemala as well as some histroy of the community center in Lake Amatitlan, where we will be doing some childrens english ministry all week, it is also the community where we will be involved in building a home for a very desperate family. Today we continue to unpack the 500 pounds of supplies we brought with us and we organize the activities of the week ahead. Stay tuned!

Day 2

Nov 20

Day two started at 7:00am with a delicious pancake breakfast and freshly squeezed orange juice made by Raul. We then delivered care packages to the girls that live here at the San Christobal home. The group took a half hour drive into the town of Antigua where we enjoyed the afternoon shopping at the markets, purchasing items for silent auctions back home.

This afternoon we began organizing all the supplies, separating them into crafts, games, prizes, presents, etc. Backpacks were made for Vilma’s six children who we begin building a home for on Monday. We are overwhelmed by the amount of donations given by people back home…ten suitcases full! Looking forward to starting VBS tomorrow afternoon.