“So, do you all want to help out at a ministry while you are here?” Pastor Mike (our host) asked our group as we lounged on his exceptionally comfortable couch.
“Sure we would love to!” We enthusiastically responded. Our plan had been to pass through Antigua but because of Amanda’s unfortunate passport incident, we had a few extra days in the city.
“You can help out with a ministry called Arms of Jesus; they build and run schools for kids who otherwise couldn’t afford any schooling. The kids are sponsored for $25 a month and for that they receive an education, two square meals a day and get to hear about Jesus. They could use some construction help.”
The next morning we pilled into Mike and Nancy’s fifteen passenger van and set off for the 20 minuet drive. As
soon as we were out of Antigua the landscape vastly changed. We went from modern city to men walking cows down the street and women carrying bushels of firewood on their heads.
From the moment we stepped through the gates of the school it was immediately obvious how happy the kids were. They were running around singing and laughing, girls were playing hand clapping games, and guys were fighting over who got to sit on the play structures.
Our orders were to
move 180lb. cement boards onto the roof then
dig three huge holes for the foundation. By our third cement board my forearms were aching like crazy, but I pushed through and hopefully made up for some of the gym time I’ve missed since starting the race. I feel buffer, even if it’s only in my head.
Digging the holes was slow going, exhausting, and dirty, but we got the job done! There is something satisfying about seeing tangible results at the end of the day. As we attempted to brush the dirt off our pants Candice begin to have an asthma attack. She has allergy induced asthma and hasn’t had any problems for a few years so she doesn’t even have an inhaler on the trip.
Our group immediately started to pray and her breathing got more and more labored. One of the ladies who worked at the school came out and decided that it would be best to take Candice to the local clinic. A few minutes after they left Nancy drove up. We met Candice at the clinic and found out the doctor needed us to
rush her to the hospital for oxygen. Her breathing was even more labored. It was a tense ride.
God showed us his presence in many ways. Allie who is Guatemalan and speaks English happened to ride with Nancy to pick us up, so Candice had a great translator. The timing of when the car got there was perfect. Matt (Nancy’s son) was able to reach a friend on the cell phone for directions to the hospital. Everything fell into place to get Candice quick help.
After an hour of oxygen Candice was as good as new. I’m so thankful that she is ok. We had planned on buying tickets our bus tickets for tomorrow (Tuesday) when we got back but didn’t have time after the hospital visit. Thankfully Mike and Nancy offered to let us stay for another night, they are truly amazing people!!! As of right now we are planning on leaving for Lake Aticlan on Wednesday morning, but at this rate who knows what God has planned!
