"It is God to whom and with whom we travel, and while He is the End of our journey, He is also at every stopping place." - Elizabeth Elliott
This Spring break, we took our family to San Raymundo, Guatemala to build a house for a family in the name of Christ. We joined up with a friend's church in Chapin and Casas por Cristo and had a great, though dirty and tiring, experience.
We were glad for our children to have another lens through which to see the world. To know that they are truly priveleged to have running water, electricity, and toilets that you can flush. To wake up to the sounds of a customized alarm clock instead of crowing roosters, and to smell the scent of detergent instead of burning trash. For the most part, their first delve into life in developing nations was a positive one, if not somewhat shocking to their American world-views and senses.
We were especially impressed with the spiritual depth and working know-how of our Casa leaders, Tyler and Justin, who modeled what it means to live beyond yourself and your comfort zone. The ages of our team members ranged from 10 (MJ and Will) to 73, and we were thankful to not only partner with churches across town and across the world, but also to span generations in ministering shoulder to shoulder. In our large church, mission activities are often organized according to life stage. College students serve here. Adults serve there or there. We loved having the opportunity to have "forced family spiritual bonding" in a missions setting all together. Our kids may not all be on board now, but we believe that exposure to God's heart for the world at an early age will leave an indelible mark for tomorrow.
The house amazingly came up in three days. One day for leveling the ground and laying the cement foundation. Another day for putting up walls, roof, and siding. A third to finish, shop for necessities such as dishes and mattresses, and have a dedication service with the pastor and family.
The afternoons were spent with neighborhood children in Vacation Bible School. Seventy niños soon grew to a chaotic one hundred fifty, but the lovely Guatemalan Ashley translated beautifully. She was definitely God-sent! The children were also patient with our broken attempts at communicating in Spanish and followed us in herds despite the lack of Western-style glitz and glamor. Soccer balls, t-shirts, and candy go a long way here.
We gathered in the evenings after two sweet mujeres made Western-style dinners for us, and circled up to reflect on the day. I enjoyed leading a devotion on having a servant heart one night, and appreciated the genuine affirmation. It's been a while since I've had the opportunity to teach, and I realized again how much I enjoy it.
"God made you as you are in order to use you as He planned." - J.C. Macaulay
I also appreciated various adults pouring into our kids, patiently teaching (us all) how to mix and pour concrete, hammer nails into siding, and help with VBS. I was proud to observe each find a spot somewhere on the team, praying, playing with kids, hauling materials, cleaning up, or staying up late to print pictures of all the kids who attended.
The last day in San Raymundo we were blessed to travel to the base of the Pacava Volcano and hire horses to ride to the top. We explored the lava fields and a unique shop or artisan jewelry at the top that benefitted those who had lost their homes in a not-too-distant eruption. We even roasted marshmallows over the heat vents. Our kids may not have been able to lounge around and have their wi-if fixes that they are accustomed to, but they were given an incredible opportunity to catch a glimpse of the world and have some fun too. I pray that God will use this week in amazing ways, not only in the life of the precious family that received a home, but in the minds and hearts of our own family too.
"No journey carries one far unless, as it extends into the world around us, it goes an equal distance into the world within." - Lillian Smith
