There is no greater feeling then doing something for someone who can never repay you....

Today was our final day. It is always a bittersweet day at the start as you know you will be finishing the house and leaving. I feel that way every year...we will complete the 6th house we have built for FHTH's. Our friends, the Dickerson's, will complete their 2nd, and our rookies, the Nelsons will complete their first.  We have had a great time. We have worked very hard, however I will quote a young man from Atlanta. "It is the hardest work you will ever love."

Today we stopped at Clinicas Medicas San Jose in Pastores to show the volunteers who have never been there what it is all about. It was beautiful to see that the waiting room was full, the pediatrician was busy, and the dentist also had a patient in her chair. This warms my heart. I know that these people are getting good treatment, most importantly being treated with dignity. The clinic is beautiful and the staff are dedicated.  It is only a couple of years ago that my friend Jessica and I, while building in Santa Maria de Jesus, said, "Wouldn't it be great if there was a health clinic." Thanks to a very generous benefactor there is.  I met 2 young boys this week that needed health care. I am so grateful that we will be able to do everything we can to help them. I will get back to that later.

We arrive at our work site, for that one last climb up that big hill.  There are children, as we go up the hill greeting us with a big 'Hola!"  They are in tattered clothes, there faces are filthy, but their smiles light up your world. They are just to cute.  I often wonder what it is like for them when the "gringos" are finished and we no longer show up.  It is a bright spot of their day.

When we arrive at our work site, the families have cleaned the areas, and their is no sign of a construction site except for the block home sitting so beautifully on their property. When we left yesterday, there was a concrete pile, ripped up concrete bags, just a big construction mess. It looks beautiful today. Volunteers will paint the house while the Guatemalan men install the roof, window, and door.  Our house will be green on the outside and blue on the inside, the Nelsons is a darker blue on the outside and yellow on the inside and the Dickerson's is blue on the outside and orange on the inside.  All three will look beautiful when they are done.

Nick is mixing the paint

The paint is a powder and it is mixed with water. The paint brushes are small brushes with the brush part only about 1 to 2 inches wide. The concrete block is so porous that the paint just absorbs into it. We all get right to it. It is an easy day as far as the physical challenge goes. 

I notice lots of hustle bustle on the family's part, there are 4 women in the tiny kitchen here. I mean tiny, it is probably smaller then my bathroom. They are peeling and chopping. I am sure they are making lunch for us. I wish they would not because it is a cost I would prefer they did not incur, however, it is a beautiful gesture.

The children are running around having lots of fun. They also love to help paint. The have so much fun and feel so much a part of the process.

Christel, her cousin and Marissa paint the house. Little Pedro watching.

In the middle of painting Marissa tells me that the ice cream man is at the bottom of the hill. I told her to go wave him up here. We have not seen him all week because we could not hear the music up on this mountain. He does come up today however, and when we yell, "helado" the kids and adults come running. We are happy to see that everyone who wants ice cream gets some. It is 1 quetzal for an ice cream cone, homemade ice cream. (100 quetzals = $12)  As I am standing watching I notice a woman has come out of her house with a child in her arms who is rather big to be carried. I can see by his face that he is "special"  I go over to see him and she allows me to hold him. He is five years old and he cannot walk. When it is our turn in line, and I get his ice cream cone is when I realize he cannot see either, as he does not take the ice cream cone when I hand it to him. This is always sad, however in a poverty ridden area this can be even worse. I ask our worker Henio to translate for me. I am unclear why he cannot walk, however she does explain clearly that he went blind one year ago when he had a sever gastro intestinal infection and high fever for many days. Can you imagine? These are the kind of things that can happen when you live in poverty. I find it intolerable in a world that has so much money. Think about this, this family cannot get the special services they need because they have no money and they live in a country where the government does not care. Kim Kardashian buys Kanye West a $750,000 Lamborghini for his birthday. Now I am not picking on Kim K., although she is completely unaware of what is truly important in life, but there is something gone wrong here....just sayin!!! I quickly figure out hat this little bot who's name is "Tony" loves to get kisses, but you have to make the kissing sound. At this point I think I gave him a 100 kisses because the smile he displays after a kiss is brilliant.

Immediately after ice cream the families tell us it is time for lunch. The Bakers and The Nelson's have lunch together with there families and the Dickerson's have lunch in their home with their family. They set a beautiful table for us and serve us steak, black beans, fresh guacamole, salsa, tortillas, and bread. Coke to drink. I just cannot do it. I always ask our worker Henio to sit by me, and I casually serve him mine. Everyone else ate and said they enjoyed it. Just an FYI, I don't eat black beans mashed up in any country not just here.(*.*) We had a lot of fun!!

Time to finish painting. Every body's house looks so good!! The families are excited, as are we for them, however there is that gnawing feeling that soon it will be time to go. I mean it when I say it never gets old. The bond you feel with these families is incredibly strong and it comes on very fast. You cannot help but feel some level of love and a very deep respect for people that live this very challenging lifestyle everyday. The amazing part is this. I have built 7 houses, and I will say I have met probably a few hundred people, however NEVER, have I heard one complaint. I have seen sadness through the eyes of a Mom with a sick child, which is normal, and I have seen people do everyday tasks that should be easy, be extremely difficult, like walking a mile to get 5 gallons of water and doing it ten times a day, and it is quite possible that they only get water once a week on that day. NO COMPLAINTS!  That is the beauty of these amazing people.

Oscar and Joe arrive which means it is time for the closing ceremonies. This is always an emotional event, but there is no way that I could have predicted what happened today. Oscar speaks to the families in Spanish first and then translates. He tells them about the FHTH project and who Joe is. He explains to them that we are volunteers that have come here for this one purpose. The house is a gift to them and we only ask 2 things in return. We ask that they take good care of the house and most importantly, that if anyone, a neighbor, a friend or family member asks them for help that they return the gesture.  A pay it forward kind of thing. He explains to them at each house has a plaque with a number on it, the names of who built their home and sometimes who it is dedicated to. After that each family is presented with a key to their house. This is a very emotional moment. Again I cannot tell you how connected you feel. They then express their gratitude to you, they are so grateful. Our Mom, Nicalosa, who I have gotten to know, begins to cry. Not in a million years do they think that this house would have been a possibility for them. They are very religious and ask God to bless us and they tell us they will always think of us. We shared the ceremony in the Nelson house with their family. We now return to our house with our family to take pictures. and give them the gifts we bought them.

This is our group with our family and the two FHTH;s workers,Juan Jose and Edgar

After we are done I wander down to the Dickerson house to observe their closing ceremony. I need you to understand that as I am writing this, again, it has brought me to tears. This is what happened. Oscar finished his part and then the family was expressing their gratitude. First the Mom and then the Dad. After they were done the 10 year old son, Carlos, said that he wanted to say something. Let me go back a couple of days. While working on the house Taylor Dickerson was speaking with Carlos. They were talking about soccer, and he said his favorite team was Barcelona. When we were shopping the other night Taylor bought a soccer ball and a Barcelona jersey for Carlos.  So he begins to express his gratitude for the ball and the jersey and he says a couple of words and covers his face with his hands, he is crying so hard he cannot speak. Oscar tries to help him and Oscar begins to cry, and then all of us are in tears. As hard as I try I cannot describe this beautiful moment to you. When he is able to speak again he said, "Thank you, I have wished for this forever."  Again  as I write this it moves me deeply. Taylor and her family made this little boy's dream come true, they had no idea that he had "wished" for this, it was just a simple and sincere gesture on their part. These are the moments that you cannot predict, these are the moments that make the hard work worth while. They quickly replace the memory of an aching back or a sore shoulder. These are the moments that you will NEVER forget. A favorite quote of mine goes something like this: There is no better feeling then to do something for someone that can never repay you. Believe me, truer words were never spoken. This why I love this experience so much.

After the 3 closing ceremonies it is "Fiesta Time."  We purchased a pinata at the store the other night. A great big hot pink angry bird. Every body loves the pinata, the kids, the parents, the grandparents. This is a happy finale to a wonderful week.  Just take a look at all the smiling faces. Check out Sam as the pinata after it is over.

It is time for good byes. We have one more trip down the mountain, but not until some tearful good byes. I know I have said it before but I love it here in this beautiful village of Santa Maria de Jesus. There is something so spiritually invigorating about it to me. Sure, there is litter, and bathrooms that are difficult to use for someone from my life style, there is unsafe water, and sickly looking dogs everywhere. The beauty of it though, is that these extraordinary Mayan Indians with a rich culture of their own have created a life for their families that consists of love, a deep sense of loyalty, and a dedication to their children with the hopes of a better way of life. They are just like us. Each and every day they hope for a healthy family, happy children, and that God will meet all their needs...even if it takes a long time to get those needs met. Like wishing for a safe and secure home to provide them with comfort, security, and protection from the elements. Three families, 5 volunteers and a group of hard working Guatemalan men provided that this week for three wonderful families. Not only was a physical home provided, but friendships, although we are many miles from each other, will always be in the forefront of our memories. Once you have been here and participated in this beautiful project that Joe and Oscar have created, you never forget what a deep and enriching experience you have had...it is impossible. I cannot recommend this experience enough for anyone as an individual, a family or a group. It will change your life forever and more importantly, change your perspective on what is important in life. As human beings we should be aware of the world around us, not only our backyard, but globally.  We take one last picture before we board the trucks to leave this majestic mountain, and these people that have touched our hearts forever. I have spent this week building these 3 homes with incredible people. We have laughed together, cried together, and have experienced something that most people never do. I am so grateful for the time I have spent with The Dickerson and Nelson families, and the other volunteers. We had two young men working with us, Nick and Zack, they worked hard and I am sure that they have been touched by this.   Between them they have 5 lovely daughters. Taylor, Morgan, Carly Julia, and Carolyn are 5 inspiring young ladies. These are young ladies with grace and sensitivity that will leave their mark on the world. It has been my pleasure to share this experience with such wonderful and caring families.  This is the 6th house I have built with my family. It was great to have Britt with us this time. She is and has always been a very hard worker, and it is a blessing to share this experience with her again. I drive them crazy most of the time, but sharing this with them is the most enriching activity we do together as a family.

Dios bendiga a la gente hermosa de Santa María de Jesús y De Casas a Hogares.

God bless the beautiful people of Santa Maria de Jesus and From Houses to Homes-Guatemala.

Last pic of the group before we leave the mountain.

Escuela Kemna'oj, floor pour and more!!!

 

What a day!! We had such a great day I don't know where to begin....so I will start at the beginning. On the fourth day of the building process the only thing that needs to be done is the pouring of the floor in the house. Since this is a short day FHTH's always takes the volunteers to visit the school. The name of the school is Kemna'oj which means "weaving minds, weaving knowledge" in the kechiquel language. This is the language that the Mayan Indians speak and Santa Maria de Jesus is a Mayan village. The Mayan culture has a very rich history. The Maya are more then 50% of the population in Guatemala. Weaving is one of the outstanding Mayan crafts and is exhibited throughout the community especially in the women's clothing.  One of the things I love so much is the color, the beautiful bright colors that are every where you look when you visit Santa Maria de Jesus. There is also a very deep sense of family here, and sadly extreme poverty.

 

 

We brought the children apples and banana bread.

We arrive at the school and the children are already in class. The principle likes to take a few minutes to explain the mission of the school and the issues they face every day. These children are from extremely poor families, and that always presents many problems with the children.  The majority of these children's parents do not have an education and so they are unable to help their children with their home work. There are very dedicated teachers at the school, and they face these challenges every day with dedication and kindness towards these beautiful children. The children love when the volunteers come to visit. They love to be picked up and they enjoy playing with you.  It is no secret when you see these children that they thrive at this school.

Beautiful!!!

 

 

 

 

Laura Nelson, Volunteer

 

Brittany

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Every child that attends this school receives breakfast and lunch, something they may not have at their homes, and most likely if they do, it will not be a nutritiously healthy meal.
We hope that these children will continue with us through the 6th grade and then go onto the next level of school. We can only hope and pray that education remains a part of their lives. Some of the effects of poverty include children needing to go to work, and Mothers needing the children at home to help them with the younger children in the family. It is a sad fact of life in Guatemala that most children do not make it to the 6th grade. There is no question that education can break the chain of poverty. This is a daily challenge that we find worth fighting.
After we left the school, which by the way is located in a rented space that is much to small we traveled to the construction site of the new building which we hope will be completed for the 2013 school year.  Joe Collins, Executive Director and Founder of FHTH's explains exactly what the school will look like when it is completed. Larger classrooms, offices for doctor and dentist visits, psychologist office, grey water system, 15000 gallon water cistern. Water is a huge problem in Santa Maria, there are long periods of time when the people have no water, we hope to help with that. There are many more great features of the school.  You can read more about it on the FHTH's website.  http://fromhousestohomes.org/EscuelaKemnaojdeSantaMariadeJesus.html

After we left the school we travel to our work sites to pour the floor.  Just one task to day towards the completion of the home, however it is a somewhat heavy task. To pour the floor you need 5 bags of concrete, 4 wheelbarrows of stone, and sand.  As we make our way up the mountain to the location children are gathered along the hill saying, "Hola, dulce por favor."  Hello, sweets please. I have made it a habit to give them some sort of sweet treat as I leave every afternoon, I remind them that I will have "dulces en la tarde"  " Sweets in the afternoon."  I don't know if that is proper Spanish, but its the best I got. These kids are always dirty, with tattered clothes, yet they have huge smiles.

"Dulces, por favor?"



We arrive at the work site and get right to work. We are greeted with grateful smiles. The children are always happy to see the volunteers, as are their parents, but I think the kids like the "company," if you will. I am not quite sure that these kids see much more then this mountain most days of their lives. There are many people in Santa Maris that have never been off this mountain. Very sad in the sense that there is a whole world out there that they have never explored. Who knows though, this may be all they need. I don't like to make a habit of putting my gringo thoughts into their minds.

So we start shoveling as our workers prepare the top of the house for the roof whcih will be added tomorrow as we paint. A constant thought is that this is our 4th day, I hate how fast it goes. I love it here so much...did I say that once or twice before:) We do still take our lunch break, which becomes a time of reminisce and laughter.  For some reason when you make this trip there are so many funny things. Our group is great!!  We have had lunch and dinner together every day since we arrived and it has been nothing short of a great time. This is the Nelson's first trip so it is interesting to hear their perception of their experience.  They have confirmed it is hard work, yet they have enjoyed all of it.



You can't even see the bottom

I know that I have mentioned the hill we climb every day to work, but lt me share this with you. Last Friday, before we arrive, the block, approximately 700 per house, which means for this location, 2100 block, cement, stones, and sand are dropped as close to the house as possible. It is the families responsibilitiy to get it to the work site. So think about this...these families carried 2100 block, all the cement and multiple wheelbarrrows of stone and sand up that mountain....you know the one that I said we had trouble walking  everyday. Yes, they did that in 2 days preparing for our arrival.  So ask yourself, if you found a perfect location to build a home in the USA, on a mountain which most likely you would have chosen for the view, and the builder asked you to carry the building supplies to the top of the mountain,  what would you say to himyour answer without being there.

 

 

 I decided to take a walk when I was done with my lunch. I stumbled on a 4 children having some fun. Three were in a wheelbarrow and the the 4th was puching it. They were holding one of the big beach balls that The Dickerson family had brouth them. The girl pushing them was puching down that hill as fast as she could, occasionally sh would crash and the kids would laugh themselves silly and then they would continue on.  So funny...they were having the time of their life!! Wheelbarrow and a beach ball.....who knew...right?

Back to work.  First is to mix the sand and cement together..this is tough and it takes 5 of us to do it. It has to be thoroughly mixed or it won't be "concreta."  When everything is prepared we start the bucket brigade to pour the concrete. Spackle buckets filled with concrete.....heavy to say teh elast. Everybosy has a job, there are thse mixing the concrete, shoveling it into buckets, and the ones that hand it off to each other and the pour in the house while Juan smoothes out into a floor. We do a darn good job, however occasionally a strong Guatemalan worker will jump in to mis more cement quickly. These men build these house about 50 weeks a year, they asre "strong as bull," and never do you hear them complain or criticize about your technique. If somethin isnt right they very gently correct you. They are wonderful men...I will save that story for another day.  We finish the floor and we are done for today.



Edgar puts the finishing touches on the floor.

All 3 houses complete the floor and have enough concrete to put a little step in front of the house. They are really looking like a home.  Tomorrow we paint....the families have chosen great colors for their individual homes. 

The other day Oscar came to me and sais he has prepared a surprise for Joe back at the school today. He wants to express his thanks to Joe for all he has done for the Guatemalan people. Joe of course knows nothing about this, and we laugh because both Oscar and I know that he does not like fanfare. Instead of heading back to the hotel we go back to teh school and join all the volunteers and workers and wait for Joe and Oscar to arrive. When they arrive and Joe walks through the door he gets a big hand of applause from everyone. Joe replies, "Who am I going to fire tomorrow."  No surprise to me, but the reality is I believe that he appreciates the gesture. Oscar speaks in english and Gabby the clinic administrator translates for all the Guatemalan people.  They express their deep gratitude for all Joe has done. Oscar has had a beautiful plaque made for Joe. Joe then speaks and expresses his gratitude for Oscar, the teachers, and all the workers including Saul and Carmen who work in the office, and of course the volunteers. Joe makes a point to say he could do none of this without Oscar, something he says often. It was a very nice moment. It was very typical Guatemalan, low key and with grandeur. That is one of the things I like about it here, they do not require grand celebrations to  express their gratitude. Just simple and to the point.  The teachers had made a beautiful poster and had some of the children put their hand prints on it with a message to Joe. Of course all the messages are in Spanish so Joe will never know what they say unless he goes on google translate...which is never accurate with translation...lolol. There is one thing we know for sure, these children feel that Joe is their hero. They adore him as evidenced when ever he enters the school they run to him and hug him. They think he is all that and to them he is. He has given them the gift of caring...they truly know that he cares about them and what happens to them in their future. They know for sure, that he will do anything for them, and that is a fact!

After work and a quick icy cold shower we ladies go do some shopping for our familes. Housewarming gifts and an incredibly funny and large pinata.  We get brooms, water buckets, clothespins, towels and some toys for the kids. It is really fun to bring gifts to the families for their new homes.

Dinner and some yoga and it is off to bed.....oh and let me not forget that Sharon and Morgan decided to scare the dickens out of me by sticking the angry bird pinata through my window.

 

Ohhhh my aching back!!!



The Nelson Family

The Dickerson Family

The Baker Family

Ohhh, my aching back!!!  Block is complete!! Our house is up as are the other 3. Tomorrow we pour the floor and then Friday we paint. My family chose green on the outside and blue on the inside.
The block part of the job ends just at the perfect time as I don't think I could lift much more block or concrete. I do love the work though, and the excitement in the family's face as they see their new home coming into view.

Nicolasa and Pedro

The Mom and I getting to know one another even though we speak a different language.  Today she was telling me her 2 year old son, Pedro,  has a big lump in his neck. She asked me to feel it and I did. It is definitely not supposed to be there although I have no idea what it is. I had our worker, Henio, come and translate for me and the woman told him that she took the boy to the doctor and the doctor said that was normal in people in Santa Maria de Jesus. This is how the poor are treated when seeking health care. Everyone in this town does not have a big lump in their neck.  I had Henio tell her about our clinic and I am hoping she makes the trip and has her son looked at. It doesn't matter where you live or what your economic status is, as a Mom, health issues with your children are always frightening. That is something that can be easily communicated amongst Mother's. 

The families have really been helpful and cordial to us as we are working. There is a total of nine children in the family and the father is helping us. We are building for 3 families of which they are siblings. The Nelsons are building for the parents, Bakers for a son and his wife, and the Dickerson's for a daughter and her family.  They are very close knit family and their children seem to get along well.  There is a little boy named Sergio who is cute as a button. I tickled him very lightly yesterday and he took off running, now when he sees me he runs.

The 7 year old girl in my house is named Christel. She goes to school everyday and she tells me she likes it very much. Today she was doing her homework which was writing in English. She had to write the letter "w" and then "wa" and then 'we" in script. She really had beautiful handwriting. Her Mom was standing over her making sure she was doing a good job...another universal Mom duty.

 Christel does her homework as her little brother Pedro watches.

Tomorrow we will visit the Kemna'oj School. We will visit the children in the current location and then make a stop at the construction site of the new school. I LOVE going to the school and see these very happy and enthused children. They are equally excited to see the volunteers stop by.  After the school visit we will head to our work site to pour the floor.
It is going to be a great day!!  Sadly we are winding down as tomorrow will be our 4th day. The end is coming too quickly!!  It is important to take in every moment of this experience. It feeds the soul and makes memories that are irreplaceable or like anything else I have experienced.  This is the 6th home my family has built, and I have loved each and every one. To be surrounded by such beauty in the face of such incredible poverty makes one wonder , why when you wake up each and every day with everything you need right at your fingertips, why would you ever have a complaint about anything. Something to think about for sure.

The view from where we are building

Half a house!!!

We woke up to another gorgeous morning in Antigua, Guatemala.  We had to be at the office early at 8:15 to get on the road and get started.  I have to say we were a little achy to say the least but we marched our little selves right out of our cute little hotel and up the street to the office. We boarded our trucks and away we went.  We got dropped off, and made the climb up the hill to where we will work. What a wonderful surprise when we saw that the families had piled all the block we would need today in the center of the house so that eliminated that job for us..and that is tough work! How many block you ask???? Approximately 200...what a beautiful gesture.

Today Jose and Edgar lay the block and then we put the concrete in between the seams of the block. We will do a total of 7 rows.  We do about 5 before lunch and 2 after.   I must comment on the sun today..it was so hot, we were all applying and reapplying sunscreen. At about 11:00 our family served all of us jugo de fresa( strawberry juice) and cookies.  I think they must have seen us all sucking wind and said, "Geez these gringos must need some nourishment!"  We were grateful, of course after we checked that they made the drink with agua pura (bottled water) and not the water these folks are so used to drinking.
We jump for joy when we hear the word, "almuerzo" which means lunch.  We all gather on one work site and share lots of good food and chatter. It really brings you together and is one of the brightest parts of the day. Today Laura Nelson who is a teacher by trade taught us a song about everyone being together...or something like that...I don't remember. It made us laugh alot...well some of us. I tried to translate it into English which led into a whole diatribe of silliness.  FUN! Back to work people...we only have 2 rows to go and then a cement pour. We mix the cement...hard....then we fill the buckets...hard...then we lift them along a congo line....harder, and then pour....whew... that is hard work!!
While we are doing this the women in this neighborhood go about their business, they seem to be busy all day. Remember so much of their daily chores are done by hand, it is like going back in time. They appear to be very content, and most of the time they are quite relaxed. "Tranquillo" as they say in Guatemala.
The kids are really warming up and there was alot of interaction today. There was a great game of beach ball. There are 2 little boys that are tough as nails. They cannot be more then 3 years old...they are so funny. It is like they rehearse a whole shtick and perform for you. The one little boy will get in fight stance and hold his fists up ....it is a riot. He also can really drill the beach ball...I think he is a future soccer player.
Its time to wrap it up for the day and climb back down the mountain...our work is complete. Tomorrow is Wednesday, we are halfway there.  It goes to fast!!
Tonight was Domino's Pizza in the hotel. We had so many laughs!! What started as pizza ended up in a sing along with the final tune being American Pie....whats better then that. We are a great group who have blended together beautifully.   The kids all get along and are having a great time...especially Marissa. She is in her glory!!  Tomorrow is another day of block and cement. 

This is what we completed today.

We met our families!!!

Caravan to Santa Maria de Jesus

So we head off to work in our beautiful matching T shirts. I have to say we looked good!! We walked to the From Houses to Homes office. We meet the men we will work with. Each building team consists of 6 volunteers and 2 Guatemalan men.  We have 2 young men working with us also, Nick and Zach.  We are working with Juan Jose and Edgar.There are 4 homes being built so we pile into 4 pick up trucks to make the climb up to Santa Maria de Jesus, one of my favorite places in the world. Santa Maria is 6700 feet above sea level. Santa Maria de Jesus is located on a volcano called Volcano Agua. It is called that because it erupted water back in the 1500's. Nothing since then. We are so close to the top of the volcano this year that I have decided I have now climbed a second volcano, because believe me we are up there. We can clearly see the top of the volcano. After the truck dropped us off today, we walked up a very steep hill, made a turn and then went a little higher.  The view is incredible.
Day one is so special because we meet the families that we will build the homes for.  We are all located very close to each other and are building for 3 families that are all related.  That makes it really fun.  We are building for a family of 4, the Dickerson's are building for a family of 5, and the Nelsons are building for a family of 4.  It appears that there are many other family members in the area.  When you arrive on the property it is important to remember that you just walked into someones home, even though you are outside. There is a brief moment of "getting to know you" if you will. Understanding the boundaries is important. The Mom in our house shows us where we may put our belongings.   This woman's father in law is getting the house next door which is being built by the Nelson family. He quickly tells us how grateful he is and he hopes that God blesses us. I almost wish I could speak Spanish fluently to explain to him that the gift is ours, we are the blessed ones for having this opportunity to impact some one's life so deeply.
We are building for the Oron-Chex family. Edwin is the father who is 25 and has a 6th grade education. The Mom is Nicolasa who is 30 and has a 2nd grade education. Christel the daughter is 7 and is currently in the 1st grade. Pedro is  their son and he is 3 years old. The daughter  is at school right now.  Nicolasa, is very busy doing her laundry and tending to this very busy toddler. They do their laundry in a "pila" which is essentially a concrete sink. It is then hung on the line to dry.
Today we are digging the foundation, and laying 1 row of concrete block. First we must fill a wheelbarrow with sand....20 times. We then add 8 wheelbarrows full if stone which again, we must shovel.  Brittany and I get right to that job. Zach and Nick are hammering a hole in one part of the concrete block that will fit over the rebar. Sam and Bob are lending assistance to both. Juan and Edgar are setting the boundaries with fishing line and rebar in the corners. It is important not move the fishing line as that is our guide. I know that because the first year we built I moved it all the time before I realized it had an important purpose. I just kept saying to myself, "who put this string in the way?"  (Just a side note as I sit and write this blog in the lobby of the hotel I am looking out at the beautiful blue sky and listening to a number of different church bells ring...soothing)
 Marissa has fallen in love with a small puppy. She found it the minute we arrived and has been holding it ever since. She never has any difficulty feeling comfortable here, she just moves right in, but that's Marissa right?!  She is laying with little Pedro and keeping busy, she did hammer one block also.  Nicolasa has finished her laundry and is taking a big bowl of corn to the tienda to have it turned into tortilla dough.  Marissa has decided to tag along.  Marissa arrives back with the Nicalosa carrying her son Pedro, who is crying in her arms and her now very heavy bowl of dough is on her head..it amazes me every time and I will say it again...we Americans are not really using our heads to their fullest potential.   She is now going to make tortillas which Marissa loves to help the woman do. Nicalosa has given Marissa a small bowl of water for her fingertips as her job is to flip the tortillas and then take them off the stove when they are done.
Mom is forming the tortillas in the palm of her hand. These women are very quick at this, they make many tortillas every day. Usually between 50 and 100.  It is a main part of the diet here. Christel the daughter arrives home from school and guess what...Marissa has found a best friend....thick as thieves! So cool!!


All 3 families seem to be progressing nicely on their homes and getting to know their families. It does not take long to feel comfortable and welcome. Lunch time comes quickly. It is a chance to sit, relax and socialize with each other and the workers that do such a great job of guiding us through the building process. These men are incredibly gifted,  They are uneducated poor Guatemalans who cherish their job, as jobs are so hard to come by. They are husbands, fathers, and sons. They are very dedicated to their families, and take pride in the work they do.  We all have alot of laughs on our lunch hour. I take a walk around to see what is happening and see how many kids I can find...I love to play with the kids.  While looking at a chicken in the cage the woman who owns the chicken walks by and says I have 2 rabbits also...she leads me into her property to show me the pretty white rabbit. Whats most interesting is that her husband is on the ground carving a quetzal out of wood with a machete. The piece of wood is about 6 inches long and he is using this giant machete to carve with.  it is really intricate and beautiful, I plan to watch the progress of this all week. Very cool!
Lunch ends, and it is back to work. We have about 3 hours of work left. The sun is shining brightly, I can see the top of the volcano clearly. Sunburn is starting to find a home on many of our necks. There is a beautiful breeze, and the corn sways slowly like a fan to cool you off. Maybe that is what a Guatemalan fan is...swaying corn. It is lunch and beautiful here. There are some incredible flowers growing. I don't know all the names but there is a beautiful Cala Lily, Daisy's and what looks like an Impatience plant. There are also peach trees all around this property. Our men are really enjoying eating them.
Foundation dug, block laid, concrete carefully inserted in between each block by the unskilled volunteers who manage to get there masonry skills going. We are done, and all feeling pretty tired and achey. These men do this every week, and I must say I hear no complaining just a lot of laughing.
As we finish the wind picks up and it gets quite cool. We have that long trek back down that big hill to get to the trucks that will pick us up and bring us back to Antigua.
Of course, I have some treats for any child I see on the way down the mountain. I spot a group of kids and decide to engage them in a game of Simon Says. They never really get the game but we have alot of laughs. I don't know who enjoys it more...yes I do.



 We jump in the trucks and head back down the mountain. The view is always so beautiful and today, Volcano Fuego decides to cough a little and smoke appears and it is always amazing to us what that looks like. To Guatemalans it is just another day, they barely notice.
We had a great day and back at the hotel there is so much chatter about our families. It seems everybody is excited and as always amazed that they are actually building a house.
For me, building my 6th house...one word...bliss.