Returning Home

I figure it's time to share the news that has been weighing on me since August.

I will be returning to the states in June without a return ticket to Guatemala. 

I am incredibly excited, and yet, anxious at the same time. I am deeply saddened to be leaving the life that I have made for myself over the last five years and I'm equally ecstatic to see what may be ahead. 

I am unsure where I will end up or what I will be doing (I will start taking suggestions in June if you have a brilliant idea for me!)

Until then, I will be living life to the fullest here, enjoying everyday that passes with my friends and family down here. 

If you think about it, please pray for me. I have no doubt this transition will a bit rough. 

Earthquake Fund Update

On January 19th, I traveled to San Marcos to see how the houses were progressing.  Two sizable donations had been made to the Nazarene Church and 8 families had been given blocks. I visited with those families and heard stories of what life had been like for the past two months since the Nov. 7th earthquake. I am pleased to tell you all that within the last week, I have been informed that my original goal has been blown out of the water tenfold. With the donations that have continued to come in, I have no doubt that we will be able to assist all 18 families from this congregation that needed help! 

I am planning on putting together a short video telling the whole story of this project. Until then, here are a few pictures from my most recent trip. I am planning on returning in a few weeks to continue to check in and be of assistance if necessary. 

The trip to San Marcos was such a blessing. Again, I am humbled that I have been given this opportunity to be the middle man in this project. It has turned into so much more than I originally dreamed up. Thank you for allowing me to be apart of it and thank YOU for caring about the people of Guatemala!

Iglesia Nazareth is the church that we have partnered with.

A normal street in San Marcos. One block is destroyed and the next is just fine. It all had to do with the building material. 

At the first house we visited, I was served a plate full of papaya (I had to choke it down) and learned that there were a total of three families living in this house. This family had been given 1,000 blocks they have so much to rebuild.

This is one of the couples that lives in the three family complex. There are a total of 13 people that live there.

Digging out the trenches to begin rebuilding soon. You can see the blocks to the left of the picture.

Another construction site. This family is in the process of rebuilding.

This is the makeshift kitchen that the family from the above picture has been using while they are rebuilding. Please notice the dark spot in the left part of the picture. That is a chicken. 

A rebuilt wall with the donated blocks.

This family has suffered greatly in the last 6years. During Hurricane Stan, five of their family members were swept away in a landslide just down the road from this house. Now, they are dealing with the aftermath of the earthquake. They don't look like it in this picture, but they are incredibly happy people with so much to be unhappy about. The woman wanted me to come back later in the day for tamales y chuchitos (a Guatemalan snack).

This is a crack in the foundation of the home from the picture above.

The blocks that have been donated can been seen under the black tarp that is behind the open door. 

This lady is explaining how the wood was salvaged to be reused as the roof when it comes time to rebuild. Her blocks are seen behind her.

This woman is showing me what the house looked like before the earthquake. This is another family that has three families (a total of 15 people) now living in two rooms. The wood and lamina behind her will be used for the roofing of the new house.

These are four of the 15 people that are living in two rooms at the moment. The grandmother is 100 years old and moved around like a 20 year old. We are standing in front of their makeshift kitchen that has a dirt floor and wood burning stove. 

Rosa and Chepe are a couple that I met the first time I went to San Marcos. They were in better spirits this time and they welcomed me with open arms. You can see the blocks behind us. They are preparing the ground and their house to rebuild shortly.