Monday 14 May 2012

Building Houses





     Good day all!  Greetings to my family at Bloomington Gospel Church and Safe Haven Worship Centre.          
     Guatemala is every bit as beautiful as I remember it was 10 years ago!  Although, I suppose that’s a very anti-climactic place to start my blog after the day myself and the team experienced today.  Right from the start, it seemed like the day was going to be something special.  Our team devotions in the morning spurred some rousing discussion, which I found very uplifting.  That positive feeling could easily have been deflated not long after, when we came face to face with the daunting task of building 5 houses in one day.  Just to add to the list of things that could potentially get us down were the black clouds looming overhead, proclaiming their anger with each thunderous roll.  But an amazing blessing from God happened.  We all stayed positive.  Not only did all the houses get built, but the rain held off (a few sprinkles notwithstanding)!  
     The work was hard.  Blisters found, blood drawn, thumbs were hammered, and backs were tweaked.  Ask anyone on the team though, and those were not the things that defined our day.  Working side by side with our fellow team members and the AOJ workers, laughing and having a good time, all the while making mountains of work seem like mole hills, was definitely a highlight.  For me the best part of our day came as a fitting cap, when we were privileged to dedicate the houses we had just built.  To say it was a moving experience, or that the people were grateful, would both be gross understatements.  We were moved to tears right alongside those receiving the houses. 
      This is what it’s all about. Reaching out, and allowing ourselves to be used as the hands and feet of Jesus.  I am honoured to be a part of this team and the work the Lord has done through us so far.  Thank you all so much for your prayers and financial support!  Without both of those, our trip, and the subsequent blessings bestowed upon the downtrodden in Guatemala would not be possible. 
Good night and God Bless!  
 Mark George


1 comment: