Guatemala: Monday Recap

We are back to the hotel after our first day on the build site! Eight of us worked on a new build and four of us worked on smokeless stove/healthy home kits.

The work on the build site consisted of all rebar work. This area is prone to earthquakes and the Habitat houses are built to withstand them where many buildings are not. We cut, bent, twisted, carried, and cut, bent, and twisted some more! We are preparing the ribs for the foundation. Tomorrow will begin the mixing of concrete and seeing more noticeable progress. It was a beautiful, sunny day. In the shade it was lovely and in the sun it was lovely, but that sun was hot! Plenty of sun screen was used.

The work was repetitive and easy to make efficient! We all enjoyed the day very much.

For me, the work was great, but what was more satisfying was seeing the family and the children interact. Jason, who is 7 years old, will move into the house we are building. He helped us work and was a quick learner and hard worker. Our guide, Fredy, grew up in a Habitat house and the first English he heard was that of the volunteers building his home. He remembered those gringos helping his family and eventually came back to the organization that changed his family's life. What a different future will be made for Jason and his family by have a safe, decent, and affordable home!

The smiles of the children were the best part of the day. (Children on a build site is not something we are used to, but a blessing to have with us today!)

The other group worked on the smokeless stoves. Myself and three others will have the opportunity to do that tomorrow! We are rotating 8 and 4 each day this week and will all be together Friday afternoon for the celebration with the family of the beginning of their new home.

We ran to a market after work for snacks and treats and will soon gather back together for dinner and to debrief the day.

This will be a wonderful week. We are all so thankful and grateful to be here!

What a great way to serve on MLK Day!

“Everybody can be great...because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” - Martin Luther King, Jr. 

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It seems photos to the blog will not be working on this internet connection. Be sure to check Instagram for a few pictures a day! Posts will go up under usernames hlwick and habitatgvl.