Finally, a quiet moment where I can sit still, gather my thoughts (somewhat), and write about the amazing last month and a half we’ve had. It’s a rainy day and there are only a couple of us up in the mountains, just what I need to crank out this blog. It’s truly been a blessed time. We had several short-term teams come and share in God’s work here in Guatemala, and all were a blessing, in so many ways.
A team from my home Church, Christ Church United Methodist (CCUM), Louisville, was the first to join us up in the mountains, and brought with them their hearts, and a wide array of talents, and poured out their love on the village. Because of the many talents, we were able to accomplish a lot of different projects, each unique in its manner of blessing Pinalito.
Several of ‘the guys (Dan Burgess, Brian Moore, George Strunk, Riggs Lewis) ’ took on the impressive task of tiling the church sanctuary, something that has been on our ‘wish list’ for quite a while. In accordance with the missionary code of work, none of the intrepid tillers were really tillers by trade or profession, it was truly a ‘learn as you go’ approach. The great thing was, the work was not done by just a couple of gringos, but some the local church members jumped in to help as well. Despite the slight communication barrier the work went well…especially when those of us who could translate would pop in for a minute or two. When there was no translating available, a good deal of sign language was used and somehow, messages got across. The end result was a very nice looking floor and for some, a new appreciation of tiling.
Jimm Cox and I set about getting the Community Center (the classrooms, library, & computer lab) powered by installing a solar energy system, which is working great these days. Jimm did a lot of the surveying work and preparing the building for the system, which in part was due to the reason that I somehow was never around for more than 5 minutes…but after a couple days we had 4 solar panels on the roof, a battery and control center inside, and 120 volts of juice flowing through the system. This is an awesome addition to the Community Center, because it gives us clean, quiet power which we use to show movies to the locals, stay up all night working (once in a while), use computers with the locals (which are organized and working well thanks to Heidi Holtzman), and anything else we’ll think of to benefit Pinalito.
Frankie Turner and Bonny Folz did an amazing thing for the Community center, they painted one of the large classrooms. But we’re not just talking boring single tone white eggshell painting or even painting the room a shade of blue, they did something real special. This classroom is going to be for younger kids, and with that in mind, Frankie and Bonny let their imagination run loose and painted a mural- in the entire room! That means 4 walls, AND the floor. One end now has a beach, flowers are growing up the walls, butterflies float around the windows, there’s a meadow on the other wall…and the floor is an ocean, complete with fish and all. I always get excited about the projects we do for the kids…because they are the hope and future of Pinalito.
Of course, the team didn’t come just to work inside the mission gates. We got to experience the life of the locals, on many levels. Part of the team experienced the local form of transportation- i.e. by foot, as we hiked to Pinalito on our first day in the mountains (a good 2 ½ miles of uphill- way to go guys!) We also had a good number of the group hike all the way down to Zacapa on leaving Pinalito…a gorgeous 8 mile tromp through the hills and down the mountains (again- way to go guys!) We also took a day to fix up some of the footpaths in the village…with the rains and the steep terrain some of the paths become ‘suicide slides’; this was another project where we worked hand in hand with the locals. We also visited a number of houses, which is always a treat for the locals, as they get a bit of comic relief watching the gringos try to make tortillas. Another part of village life a select few got to experience was a 3 am pig slaughter, for a community pig roast (sponsored by the team) that day. I’d have to say the one who experienced this most vividly was Scott Irick, our cameraman. He spent most of his week catching the spirit and definition of Pinalito on film, and was not going to let the pig slaughter be missed. I had told him I’d wake up with him…but I don’t think I ever did…
Blessings kept on coming…Amy Moore spent time in the clinic and more importantly, time playing with the kids, Mom Ruzic kept us very well fed, and always seemed to have a local baby in her arms, donated clothing was distributed, and devotion times were fruitful. The team was really a blessing, I can’t say that enough. Not only did they come to pour out their hearts on the village, they also poured out their hearts on us, the resident missionaries. They were the encouragement and boost we needed after the rainy season, where things can get down once in a while.
Right on the heels of the CCUM team came a team from Brevard Community Church, NC. This team was slightly smaller but just as able and equipped to share in God’s work up here. And, the talents brought, and used, were also slightly different, and so we got some other different projects accomplished.
We had a couple of carpenters (Gordon Strayhorn, Bart, Alan Perry) on the team, so some cabinets got built, which, in the grand scheme of things is good but not nearly as great as the seesaw and tree house that were built. Gordon and I both shared the vision of reinstating a seesaw on the playground, and in the newly painted classroom all of the carpenters worked together to build a loft/tree house in which the kids can play, read, have puppet shows, go crazy…everything a kid needs.
Cindy and Leigh Anne Pickup were in the clinic all week, and what a blessing it was to have medical professionals in there. So much was learned, many were treated, and the clinic went through a good cleanup and organizing.
We also went out into the village on house visits with this team, and had many hikes, some to the farthest reaches of the village. The hikes are beautiful, and it’s one of the best ways to connect with the locals…when you come visiting and sharing God’s love, you can’t go wrong can you?
The highlight of the Brevard visit was a Kids Carnival we hosted in the schoolyard. We had games, booths, prizes, music, snacks, face paint, and about 100 kids who had an absolute blast all afternoon! One of the best parts was when I went and got my face painted. It started out normal, but soon enough 3 or 4 of the kids were doing the painting, and did a pretty thorough job. I thought it looked fantastic. It also made me realize that the kids of Pinalito need more creative outlets…they’ve got so much potential hidden behind their ordinary daily life. Once again, they’re the future.
A very cool blessing for me personally was Alan Perry. He’s a runner like me, and was one of the first folks I’ve run with up here in the mountains in a long time. We went for a couple of runs that were great. The roads out here get lonely once in a while, even though I always have the cows to keep me company. The locals never want to go running with me…they don’t get it. They’ll often ask- “Donde vas?-Where are you going?” and I never really have and answer for them…there and back, over the hills and far away, through the woods to Grandma’s…if you think about it, it doesn’t make sense. So I don’t blame them for not coming along. Thanks for the runs Alan.
Lori Straehorn took on the task of cook, which she did fantastically, and our meals and devotions were a great time of fellowship, encouragement, time in the word, and fun. Just like the CCUM team, the Brevard team came with love overflowing for the village, and with love for us. Both teams, visiting back to back, brought in a huge amount of encouragement.
I’ve been reading the story of David and Saul lately, (1 Samuel 18 and on) and as I read about Saul and his fall from power and attempts to kill David, I see how God had his hand in the entire history, constantly protecting David and confounding Saul. God also put Jonathan in David’s life, a friend. Jonathan served to protect David, to encourage him, and to pray for him.
Sometimes Life gets tough…that’s part of life. But God helps us out, putting people in our lives to protect us, pray for us, and encourage us. To all members of the CCUM and Brevard team, Thanks so much. You came with the Love of God, blessed Pinalito, and encouraged us. And that…that is just how God wanted it.