Monday
Today our work began with a 7 am departure for the village of Buena Vista. Andy, Tom, Mick and Pastor Steve were joined by Guatemalan missionaries Julian, Carlos and Ana. When we arrived, after a 2 hour drive, we were met by two young men who lived in the village and were waiting to help us with our work for the day. After doing a quick survey of the structure they wanted built and an assesment of our tools and materials we got to work. It did not take long at all for six holes to be dug and a plan to come together. The Americans were in awe of the Guatemalans and their hard work, but especially their concrete work. They simply open the bags on the ground, form them into what looks like a volcano, fill the top with wáter and start mixing. After a lunch break half the group set the posts while Mick and Andy took a try at welding. They gave it their best effort, but could not get the hang of it. So after a while of trying they decided it was time for plan B. Andy headed off to town with Kevin and Julian to buy different supplies while the rest of us stayed and finished up. After finishing we were able to hike down to the river, through the rubber trees and made it back to the structure just in time for the rain. And boy did it rain! Kevin said is was one of the worst rains he has ever seen in Buena Vista. Lots of wáter and lots of lightning, very close lightning. In fact, when one strike hit less than 20 yards away we scurried to the van for the drive home. We safely made it across swollen streams and wáter filled roads. A great day and a lot accomplished. They will be heading back again in the morning for another full day in which they will hopefully put on the roof.
While the guys were off building, Lynda and Carie stayed back at the house to help the missionaries with their week. Most of the time was spent helping Oscar prepare his crafts, 600 of them in all! (And that is just for this week). The craft involved cutting out hearts that the kids will lace with yarn at their lessons later this week. The ladies enjoyed renewing friendships with the missionaries and very much look forward to joining them tomorrow as they travel to El Rincón to help them with the faith lessons.
Thanks for your continued prayers. We continue to look forward to God answering those prayers and watching Him at work in wonderful ways.
Today our work began with a 7 am departure for the village of Buena Vista. Andy, Tom, Mick and Pastor Steve were joined by Guatemalan missionaries Julian, Carlos and Ana. When we arrived, after a 2 hour drive, we were met by two young men who lived in the village and were waiting to help us with our work for the day. After doing a quick survey of the structure they wanted built and an assesment of our tools and materials we got to work. It did not take long at all for six holes to be dug and a plan to come together. The Americans were in awe of the Guatemalans and their hard work, but especially their concrete work. They simply open the bags on the ground, form them into what looks like a volcano, fill the top with wáter and start mixing. After a lunch break half the group set the posts while Mick and Andy took a try at welding. They gave it their best effort, but could not get the hang of it. So after a while of trying they decided it was time for plan B. Andy headed off to town with Kevin and Julian to buy different supplies while the rest of us stayed and finished up. After finishing we were able to hike down to the river, through the rubber trees and made it back to the structure just in time for the rain. And boy did it rain! Kevin said is was one of the worst rains he has ever seen in Buena Vista. Lots of wáter and lots of lightning, very close lightning. In fact, when one strike hit less than 20 yards away we scurried to the van for the drive home. We safely made it across swollen streams and wáter filled roads. A great day and a lot accomplished. They will be heading back again in the morning for another full day in which they will hopefully put on the roof.
While the guys were off building, Lynda and Carie stayed back at the house to help the missionaries with their week. Most of the time was spent helping Oscar prepare his crafts, 600 of them in all! (And that is just for this week). The craft involved cutting out hearts that the kids will lace with yarn at their lessons later this week. The ladies enjoyed renewing friendships with the missionaries and very much look forward to joining them tomorrow as they travel to El Rincón to help them with the faith lessons.
Thanks for your continued prayers. We continue to look forward to God answering those prayers and watching Him at work in wonderful ways.
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