Sometimes it's Like a Puzzle

Occasionally we are able to partner with other ministries to combine resources and meet greater needs.  Many families live in conditions that are unsanitary, unsafe and unlivable.   It's unacceptable. We do the best we can but sometimes we lack resources, finances, time, volunteers, etc. and need to combine efforts with other ministries to get a job done. 

      

Last week we were able to partner with a group of volunteers who I had the opportunity to work with a year ago.  Keith, Jessica, and Steve returned to Guatemala with some real estate broker friends to help another family receive a home.  

This particular family had a space between some concrete walls, but they did not have the means to do much more than place some tin sheets between them to make a roof.  The tin that was being used had many holes, leaks and just crumbling away.  They were living in a 12' x 12' space.  The decision was made to remove the old tin but keep the concrete walls.  We were not going to just put a new roof on the house, we were going to add a second level!  For the first time ever, the ministry was going to build a home that had a second level, creating twice the space.  The house is a modification of the normal design.  Instead of it being our usual 12' by 16', it was modified to 12' by 12' to fit the space available.

This took three times as long as our normal house builds but it was worth all the effort.  I am so honored to be able to help with this unusual build.  Praise God for putting together a great team and reconnecting us to help another family see the Gospel in action.

We carried the material by hand down a small alley.  The entire build was a puzzle.  Trying to fit into small corners and spaces very carefully took extra time and care.

Below is a picture of the space the family was living in before.

In this picture, Mardoceo & Fernando are assessing the plan for the decking of the second level.

My friend, Mardoceo, is a master carpenter at only 24 years old.  He's incredibly talented.

Aaron is a great asset to the team at only 19 years old.  Such a hard worker!

Fernando is our lead welder in the shop.  He led volunteers in building the 2nd level.  He's a great team member!

Here is a panoramic shot of the 12' x 12' space. 

Not a huge amount of space but a huge blessing to this family.

It looks old but it is strong.

Here is Keith, one of the volunteers who came for the week, looking over the work and enjoying the view.

A customized spiral staircase was installed to best utilize the space. 

I really enjoyed working with this team again!

Thanks for following!

Jack

Jude's Class Field Trip

How adorable are these Pre-K kids?  I can't believe Jude will finish the school year mid-October!  On Friday, they learned all about the fire department (Los Bomberos) here!

PS  Can you tell which one is Jude?  I will give you a hint:  his mama did not wash his uniform last night so he's not wearing grey pants, nor the correct school shirt.  Mom of the year, here.

Just a Few Numbers!

Last month we wrote a blog post about our one year anniversary living in Guatemala.  A dear friend encouraged us to share some more specific numbers with you.

In the past year:

• Approximately 100 houses have been prefabricated by the guys in the shop.
• 67 houses have been built by the IDC building team.
• 67 families have heard the Gospel and 40% know Christ as their Savior.
• Over 4000 water filters have been distributed to families living in villages surrounding La Antigua.
• With your help, we have personally raised $15,000 to build 5 homes through donations from friends and family in the states.

Thank you for following our blog.  It is such an encouragement to receive emails and messages from friends and family.  

Pacaya

We live in a beautiful country with enormous mountains.  Our city, La Antigua, is surrounded by three amazing volcanoes, Aqua, Fuego (active) and Acatenango.  The most popular volcano to climb is Pacaya, located about an hour and half from La Antigua.  When friends and family come to visit, we invite them to climb (or ride a horse) up Pacaya (8,373 feet) with us.  It's a gorgeous site to behold.

When Family Visits, Houses Go Up!

I know I say it a lot but for real, we have the BEST family and friends EVER.  It is such an honor to have people visit from the U.S., raise money to build a house and work their tails off when they come.

Here are some pictures of the hard workers and the new house!

My nephews, Ethan and Logan, jumped right in with a great attitude!

My brother-in-law, Mitch, working on the roof!  

The Ramirez family has a beautiful view from their new rooftop!

Jack up high!

It was a hot day!  Everyone had to drink lots of water and take breaks.  I am so proud of these kids!

My sister, Michele, did a great job on the windows!  This is the second house my parents have built.  They are becoming pros!  

My mom loves the time after the house is finished, when we hand over the keys to the family and lift them up in prayer.  The Ramirez family is incredibly special.  Mom is a cook and dad cuts fire wood.  They have four children and all are in school!    

The Ramirez family is in need of one more bunk bed so after we raise the funds (Bible Baptist church camp is busy raising funds this week) we will be back to install another set.  We always enjoy follow up visit trips to have more fellowship time with the family!

Thank you, Mom, Dad, Chele, Mitch, Ethan, Logan, and Betty for making this possible!

Boots!

In June, we wrote a blog post highlighting some amazing young men, who work with the building ministry, who were in desperate need of new boots.   Thank you, dear friends for contributing to purchasing boots for three hard workers!  Fernando, Mardoqueo and Aaron went to a store in Guatemala City where they purchased a brand new pair of work boots.  They were extremely appreciative. 

As always, we are just so thankful for the support we receive from our great friends back home.