Exactly month ago, I was in Guatemala. While we were there, our team:
- built 4 houses for 4 widows;
- restored 2 homes that were built years ago by Pray America volunteers;
- installed a new and safer stove in one widow's home;
- participated in 2 feeding programs;
- provided 60+ new shoes to these deserving families; and
- witnessed God's care for His children, American and Guatemalan alike
I thought it best to tell the stories through pictures.
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| This is Juana. She is a widow with 4 grown sons. Before this house, she rotated staying with each son monthly. Now she has a place to call her own. |
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| This is another Juana who will sleep well in her new house. She is an exuberant 70 year old matriarch with a beautiful, toothless smile and contagious giggle. I am framing this photo; she warms my heart. I want to be like her one day (I'd like to keep my teeth, if possible, though). |
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| This is Anastasia and her family. This is called the "house dedication"; I prayed for them, blessed the house and gave them the keys as a gift from Jesus. The image I will remember from this day was Anastasia gently caressing the cover of the new Spanish Bible we gave her. |
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| Having a concrete floor and a door to their home with a lock and key are precious to these ladies. |
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| This is Incarnation and her family. A Pray America team built their house 6 or 7 years ago. We went back for "Restoration Day" to fix any rotted boards, check the roof and paint the walls to prevent further decay. We also installed a stove for her. We spent a long time with her in prayer about Jesus' sacrifice and God's love. Since many of the Guatemalans come from Mayan descent, they have a mixed belief system of idol worship mixed with some Catholicism from Spanish influence. Their view of God can be very messed up. |
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| Some of our team putting up the house walls |
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| I love this photo because they were all gathered around Michael as he built a table for them out of scrap wood. That seemed more exciting to them than the building of the house! |
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| Installing the stove, this is a new service opportunity for Pray America. |
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| I just love the kids! This is Elizabeth with her new plastic flower bracelet I gave her. |
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| These big smiles come from Malbi and Nelson. We had such a hard time with Malbi's name that he must have been called 10 different things during the two days we were with him...Moby, Mabley. Stupid Americans! |
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| This is Lucrezia. I gave her my camera for a while and she took photos like a pro. |
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| You usually fall in love with one child while you are there. This is mine: Juan Jose Perez Perez. |
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| We played with the girls' hair during Restoration Day. This is Sylvia with my friend, Jen. Doesn't Sylvia look like a doll? |
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I love it when the kids are able to help build their house. This is one of the boys with Fausto, a Pray America staff member. I was awed by the tough job the staff members have. One minute they are on top of the roof with a chain saw, the next we are asking them to translate the gospel from our English to Spanish to the local dialect of Quiche (key-chay), later they are officiating a basketball game between local children or trying to remain macho while buying fabric at the fabric store.
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The 2 photos above are from one of the feeding programs we attended. The kids listen to a short message, sing songs, and then get their food. They take about 3 bites, then pack up the rest for their family. The meal provided likely feeds the family for days. I was struck by the huge responsibility these kids have to not only take care of their siblings while at the feeding program, but to bring food home for their family.
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| At each family's home they were working on their craft. One man made the traditional skirts the Guat women wear. He makes about $6/week. These ladies were making the belts that are worn with the skirts. At another house, they were needlepointing beautiful flowers on their shirts. |
