Day 7 – Hard to Say Goodbye
The team completed their last day of work at the Lopez family home and is heading back to Northern VA in the morning. It is
Team Guatemala with the Lopez family
really hard to say goodbye to this place and these people. In such a short time, our hearts have been won over by not only the beauty of this place but the beauty of this people.
The day was spent busily trying to get as much completed as we could on the multiple projects at the Lopez home. Our goals were simple: 1.
Sisters Rafiela and Dorcas' new home under roof!
Get the sisters house finished and under roof (done), 2. Frame out the two new kitchens on top of the blocks we had laid so the Lopez family could have “open air” kitchens on their new stoves (done), 3. Pour concrete slabs around the plumbing completed yesterday for another toilet, shower, and pilla (done). Even though we are leaving with much yet to completed, the transformation of the Lopez families property is amazing. It is such a vast improvement and Fernando and other laborers Servants 4 Him will hire will complete the project after we are
One of two new kitchens blocked and framed out
gone.
The ladies spent the day sewing curtains for the homes, laminating pictures we had taken to give away, organizing clothing and shoes for the Lopez family, and shopping for food and other gifts that were not part of the original plan. They then brought everything to the jobsite and blessed the Lopez family with all of these gifts. It was so much fun watching our ladies bless this precious family and how the family gave glory to God for what He had provided.
In progress - new bathroom, shower, and pilla station
Presents for the Lopez family
As the day neared its end, we new the time had come to say goodbye. It was difficult. Very difficult. This family had gotten into our hearts and they had become our friends. They did not want us to leave and we didn’t want to go. We prayed together, sang together, cried together, and finally hugged and kissed each other goodbye.
The entire week, our team never thought of themselves as special or as the rescuers for this poor Mayan family. Nor, did the Lopez family heap superfluous praise on our team. Instead, both our team and the Lopez family articulated that all that took place was from God and for His glory. We had come out of obedience and love and they received all that we did with thanksgiving in their hearts for God’s provision. God was truly glorified!
Our team has seen and learned much. Our eyes have been opened further to the things the Lord truly is concerned with and cares about. Our desire is to not loose site of the things we have learned while in Guatemala and to return to Northern VA with a new found purpose to “Put on the mind of Christ” and be about the things that truly matters to God.
Please pray for us as we travel home tomorrow. We can’t wait to see our families and share with all of you the amazing things God taught us over the past 9 days. We have lots of pictures to show you too! Thanks for being such an integral part of this team through your prayers. I can’t tell you how much they meant to us and how incredibly affective they were. Thank you!
2010 Guatemala Team
