Special Thanks to a Special Family

AAAAAAHHHHHHH!  Finally.  Corban returns to school after a 2 week break.  I love having him around.  I love hearing him sing loudly and off key all through the house.  However, despite all the joy it brings to have my little sidekick around, I can never get as much accomplished as when he is gone :)

Jeff, the dad of the visiting family, and his daughter-- sorry, sideways picture!

And so, the man who drives a little van and takes Corban to school came by at the usual time and with bribes of cookies and chocolate milk in his hands, Corban reluctantly climbed aboard and left for school.  I got busy.  I had just a little bit of time before I needed to head out to join a family of four that was here.  They had generously offered time and resources and set aside the entire day to help one of the families in our Little Giants Bible Clubs.  "Doña Ana" we will call her- is a prime example of life in Guatemala for most of the population.  She is a hard worker, with a bright smile and cheery outlook despite the hardships she has faced.  She is a joy to be around and so are her children.  Doña Ana is the mother of 6 intelegent, talented children who have been in our program for several years now.

So, as I was packing the car and getting ready to spend the day at Doña Ana's house I received a huge shock.  Suddenly Corban's van came around the corner and pulled up.  A dazed and disoriented Corban hopped out and announced that classes actually began the NEXT DAY.  oooooops.  my bad.  Quickly I changed Corban's clothes and plopped him in the car so that our missionary adventure could begin!

The plan for the day was to repair some sheets of metal on the roof as well as take care of some other repairs on the house.  To the left is a picture of the kitchen ceiling.  You can see one shiny new metal placed up there.  You can also see plastic which was hung to catch the leaks.  Doña Ana was so grateful for help with this.  You see, her husband, a taxi driver, was killed a few years ago by gang members seeking extortion.  All of her children are somewhat young still... so getting up on the roof to replace the metal was something she was saving up her money to do herself.

The tortilla fire.. sorry, this picture is sideways.

When Corban and I arrived we found that Kelly (the mother of the family visiting with us) and her 2 girls had already done crafts and games with Doña Ana's children who were at home at the time.  Doña Ana was already putting more kindling on the fire to make her tortillas for the next few days.

Her small garden patch

She grows her own corn, harvests it, degrains it, takes the grains to the mill to have it ground, and makes her own tortilla dough/paste.  She does things the old fashioned way!  As does a large portion of Guatemala's people.

Corban was impressed.  He had only seen me buy tortillas.  It had never occurred to his 3 year old mind that some people make them at home.  He wanted me to learn so that I could make some.  yeah right!  for a little over a dime I can buy 4 tortillas.  I think I will stick to buying them freshly made and leave the hard work to someone else.  Still, to appease him and to initiate a cultural exchange - Doña Ana began tortilla classes for all interested!  Kelly and her daughter tried their best.  After many laughs and failed attempts a couple of the tortillas came out right!

another sideways picture!  Getting tortilla making lessons....

While the men worked, the women were busy tending a Güisquil plant.  Gúisquil is a vegetable native to the area that grows in abundance.  We pulled off dead leaves and pruned the vine a bit to bring new life to it.  The footing beneath was a muddy, messy clay.  Our shoes were extremely yucky after that day!

pruning the gúisquil vine

As the morning wore on, more of Doña Ana's children appeared.  Each dressed in school uniform and with books on their arms.  In Guatemala, the public school has 2 shifts.  Some of Doña Ana's children study in the morning and others in the afternoon.  At one point I noticed Corban doing a familiar dance... he had to go to the bathroom!!!!!  And so began yet another adventure.  Doña ana does not have running water in her bathroom.  Basically, the toilet sits over a hole in the ground.  And the shower is just a stall.  You must bathe with the use of a bucket of cold water and a cup or something to dip the water out.  Unfortunately, the hole under the toilet is filling up.  The stench invades the house... Doña Ana has taken it upon herself to begin digging another hole outside of the house so that she can move the toilet to a new location.

This barrel holds rainwater.  The bucket on the floor is used to draw water out and pour into the toilet bowl, forcing the sewage down.

dirty, dingy bathroom with a muddy, yucky floor.

The hole Doña Ana has begun to dig by herself

It was a morning to remember.  We spend a good portion of our days teaching in the Bible Clubs, orphanages and schools.  At various times throughout the year we visit the homes to take provision and minister to the families.  Still, there is something very special about spending an entire day one on one helping a family that is doing all it can to help itself.  Corban and I had to leave just before lunch.  The baby at home was due for a nursing soon!  But our missionary guests stayed on with our team to continue working.  They even treated everyone to a hearty lunch and a very American dessert of brownies!

From the bottom of my heart I think Jeff, Kelly and their girls for coming to Guatemala and blessing the Least of These.  Jeff and Kelly, you have such wonderful, humble, servants hearts.  Your girls are simply amazing.  What a wonderful way to spend your family vacation- on a mission trip serving others.  We hope you come back again!

Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.... (Matt. 25:40)