Chickens in Church, Laundry Soap, and Beans for Breakfast

                                    

When we arrived last Saturday, we were greeted by what seemed
to be the whole village! The men helped
to unload everyone’s luggage. The people
here have continued to amaze me with their hospitality. Team Increase and Team Jubilee (my team), are
here working to help construct a new church building. We have been told that we are the first group
of missionaries to come and stay here to help with the work.

The pastor, Pastor Manuel, has been working to build a
church building for his congregation for almost 3 years with little money and
only a handful of men.

Last Sunday, we went into Chichicastenango to buy some
supplies and see the Mayan market. When
we got back to Lacama, the pastor’s sons took us for a hike through the jungle
to a waterfall. It was super cool.

Monday, we started the construction, and in the afternoon we
attended the church service. The church
service was wild, well… until you got past the stray dogs and chickens walking
around. None of us understood the local
dialect which is nothing like Spanish, but it was really neat seeing these
Mayan people praising Christ in their own way… all two and a half hours of
it! After, the service we had a chance
to play with all of the kids that follow us around everywhere. It was tons of
fun playing football with all of the children, but I dislocated my shoulder. I was glad that we had the opportunity to
love on the people in town, because they all know why we are here, and
hopefully are associating our love for them with the person of Christ that we
proclaim.

Tuesday, because of the achy shoulder, Jessica and I stayed
back from the construction and washed everyone’s laundry (all 13 people’s) by
hand. I have tons of respect for the
women here… that’s hard work.

Wednesday, we needed to pick up some gravel for the
construction. So, all 13 of us loaded up the back of a produce truck (ghetto
style) for a two hour ride through the mountains to get the gravel… which unfortunately is located right next to the most beautiful lake in the World, El Lago
Atitlan. The lake is actually situated
between 3 volcanoes and some mountains. On the way back, sitting on top of gravel and freezing, I took a good
look at the stars. I cannot describe
them any other way than just, “Wow!” I
had no idea there are so many stars, growing up in the DFW area. I am definitely gaining a greater appreciation
for God’s power in His creation.

Thursday, was back to work for me. God definitely worked a miracle in my
shoulder (along with the hands of a teammate) because I was able to move gravel
and dirt all day without pain. Along
with 5 of the strongest women I have ever met, we shoveled out the back of the
gravel truck before lunch time.

Friday, I cut rebar, and Matthew and I worked to assemble
some post that will support the church.

Saturday, I woke up nearly an hour and a half earlier than
everyone else and was able to spend a lot of alone time with the Lord, before
we continued the work. I have only been
on the Race for two weeks, and can already tell that my life will never be the
same. Praise God!