Mi Casa Es Su Casa

Teamwork!

"If I Had a Hammer" I couldn't build a house in Guatemala.  However, in Guatemala, if you have some mortar, cinder blocks, a machete and a good crew with willing hearts, a house can be built in three days. Our mission team knew when we arrived in Guatemala that there were people who needed our help building "houses", but we had few other details.  Many St. Andrew members have been involved in building Habitat for Humanity houses so that was the only standard for comparison. A beautiful thing about mission work is that you learn to be flexible and no particular skill is required.  You learn as you go.  You walk with others and the destination isn't as important as the journey.  The Impacto Staff told us not to worry about actually completing a house because other mission teams would come along to finish what we had started.  We love the Impacto Staff, but obviously they didn't know the 54 people they were dealing with.


Micah gets a workout

Before our team arrived, the Impacto Ministry had identified three families through the church, Abuelitos and Happy Tummies Programs that were highly in need of some assistance.  Through "generous givers" and fundraisers in Iowa,  the team was able to send money ahead to purchase  supplies that would be needed to construct three homes.  It was hoped that as many team members as were interested would be able to dedicate at least one morning or afternoon toward building one of the "casas".


Pastor Kyle gathers wood for a scaffolding
(don't tell his wife he was using a machete`)



 

 

 

For most of us, when we think of a house, we envision roomy structures with individual bedrooms, a kitchen filled with modern appliances, flat screen T.V's. flushing toilets, chimney's and perhaps even white picket fences. Now,  imagine 5 to 6 people living in a cinder block, one room structure that is not even as big as many of our walk-in closets.  It's the harsh reality in Guatemala.  Families that have this much shelter consider it a blessing.  Many have less. Many have nothing. 

 

Each housing site was coordinated by a construction master or "Maestro" and a translator to explain the process. Each house also had team members rotate in and out during each day.  Some team members were very attached to their family and project and spent the majority of three days at their site. There are no power tools involved, just manual labor, sweat and a lot of love and determination. In three, rather hot days, scaffoldings were built, cinder blocks were stacked, mortar was applied and concrete floors were leveled.

 

Maestro

It was hard to know what to expect when we arrived at the building sites.  Who were these soon-to-be home owners? What were their stories? What would they think about a bunch of people from Iowa coming to help them build a new house?

 

 

Building site three was nestled off a dirt path in a lush area with a view of a volcano. The sky was blue and there was a cooling breeze. Paolina, who owns the land and would soon be a new homeowner,  is one of the strongest women I have ever met. She greeted our team with grace and gratitude. She and her "Papa" worked along side of us as they were required to do.  She pointed out the lovely setting and shared that she was so glad that God had sent "The Impactos" to help with her dream.  Paolina needed to leave her previous house due to an abusive relationship and had been living with friends and relatives until she was presented with the opportunity of building. This small house would be her castle and she would share it with her Papa, daughter, son-in-law and a grandchild.  In the near future she has plans of adding an outdoor kitchen. She hopes that some of us will return so she can prepare a meal for us to show her gratitude.  

A strong woman

 

 Paolina needs no sympathy. She has drive and spirit.  She is trained as a firefighter and has assisted putting out many large fires in the mountains.  While she isn't "waiting" for fires she weaves fabrics to help support her family.  There is one other small detail that should be shared about Paolina and that is her expertise with a machete. Good luck to the tree that stands in her way.  Perhaps that is a metaphor for her life. She will take on any obstacle in her path. I apologized for doing a lot of talking and little work.  Her reponse was, "Do not worry.  You have done so much. You have listened to me". Once again I understand the gift of presence and connection.

 

Who would have believed that after three days of tireless work all three houses would be complete? Although our mission team has been very sensitive to "helping without hurting" (not making people dependent), we could not leave without dedicating each house by taking a few house warming presents in true American fashion.  A shopping crew went to town and purchased fresh eggs and vegetables, cleaning supplies, non-perishable foods and shoes for home owners, family members and workers. As Pastor Luis has preached to our team, to be humble is to express gratitude. Gratitude was expressed today.

 

Each house was dedicated with family and workers present. Blessings were exchanged. Hands were held.  Hugs and tears were shared. Our team hopes that we assisted three families with a new beginning. As we head home in less than two days many of us  might enjoy new beginnings as well. We have been encouraged to remember what has been shared in this country and carry those feelings and beliefs home with us as we return to lives that are very different from the one we have had the past week. We have learned that it doesn't take much to be truly happy, but simply a decision we make as we greet each day.

The Team of House #3