New England Bible Church - Guatemala Trip - Day 3

Monday, Monday, la-la-la-la-la… Not an ordinary Monday though – especially when you are waking up at 6 in the morning in Los Esclavos, Guatemala.  We knew we had much to do today, and the team seemed excited and ready to go.  We started off the morning with devotions in Romans (after breakfast) and then off to Matochos to tear down a wall and increase the size of the kitchen.

We arrived on time at Matochos, and the kids were out waiting for us.  I love seeing the smiling faces of the kids as we arrive – they know we are coming, but do not know what to expect.  And of course, the new team members have no idea what they are going to experience as well, but both the kids and the team members usually blend quickly.  As is my custom, I stirred up some trouble by getting the kids wound up – I love to see the kids smile and laugh, even if it is me they are laughing at.  They bring such joy to life – we can learn much from them.

After a brief introduction to the people and the job, we began working.  Breaking down 2 walls between the kitchen and the office – making the office smaller, but the kitchen much larger.  The work went rather smoothly until some AMG Mission Adventure team leader busted out the frame for the doorway and it landed on the water pipe and broke it.  I’m not one to point a finger at a dumb move, especially when the finger would be pointing at me.  It was a brief setback, but after a few minutes (and a pipeline repair) we were back to work on the wall.  By the end of the day, the walls were broken down and we are ready to build new walls tomorrow.

Throughout the day, team members were playing with kids, talking with kids, drawing, telling stories, constantly interacting with them.  Lian visited a 6-7 grade class and sat in as they had a bible lesson and then the class recited 18 verses.  She was impressed with the ability of the kids to say the verses.  Lee spent some of the afternoon telling a story to wide-eyed kids all gathered around him.  It really was cool to see their interaction.  Brooke played hopscotch with some of the girls – they really enjoyed watching her learn to play it their way.  The boys were playing ball as they had opportunity and kept the kids busy throwing the football and kicking the soccer ball with them.  The teens on this team are doing a great job of blending in and loving on the kids.  I know that their church is going to benefit from them as they go home and share with the people there what God has done in their lives.

After dinner we shared our highlights for the day.  We sang some songs as Lee lead us in worship.  Then we shared the things that God was teaching us – it was neat to hear the things they are learning about contentment, love, living with purpose, being used by God, and allowing their faith to be broadcast abroad as they live a life like the apostle Paul (studied that in Romans 1:8-17 this morning). 

Overall it was a great day.  The team is sore and tired as many of them have never swung a sledge hammer before – especially Jody and Nicole – but they did an impressive job.  I am certain many will be a little slower tomorrow, but we will see.  I did have the opportunity at dinner to give everyone a backrub – I think they were well deserved.

Tomorrow we head back to Matochos to build the walls to close in the new kitchen and then begin the process of putting it all back together.  Amazingly enough, while in this transition, the kitchen ladies will still need to cook dinner for 220 kids.  I pray that God gives them the grace to put up with our mess, and the ability to finish the task they need to with the limited space.  I also pray that the team continues to grow as one in focus, in unity, and in purpose as they love and serve the people of Guatemala.

It is late and I am a little tired – I miss the fact that I cannot speak to my wife and kids, I pray things are going well at home.