We have returned from another thrilling trip

Gayle Shearer collecting some school children at Chaguiton

The team has completed it's duties and returned to Houston. We were charged with visiting 3 villages and deciding which one would be the best partner for future work in Guatemala. This was not an easy decision, but I'm happy to report the team was unanimous in their choice. The village of Chaguiton was our selection.
The next visits will be to return and start to build a relationship that will help the village make some decisions with us that help them solve some serious issues in water purity,  health education, and improving crop performance. New teams will be formed in the near future but the work is likely to be different than the home construction type we have done in the past. Stay tuned to find out more.

A wall map of the village of Chaguiton

Days of meeting; planning

If these pictures give you the impression we are  in a lot of meetings you are right. CALMS has done a great deal of preparatory work for our visit.  In the top picture we are meeting with Village Council Members and teachers from the village schools. In the bottom picture, we are debriefing over breakfast.  Between the alpine climbs in the rental van and the meetings to learn we are very occupied. Today we met with the third village we are considering for partnership.  We are all surprised by the abject poverty and the uniquely different circumstances in each village.  Our decision to select one village is painful, because it means we can't help the other two. 

We are learning to appreciate more what each of us brings to the table for the sake of the mission.  We have learned so much and been deeply impacted by the scenes we observed.  I'm still having difficulty getting you some of the pictures from the villages, but hopefully we can provide more views to you later.

Blessings,

Bruce

Yikes! My first esperience in a Spanish Internet Cafe.

The keybord is very different. Please be patient while I learn to use it. This is a good example of culture adjustment.

Yesterday was a very long day, with a number of bone jarring rides up the side of a mountain. I used to live in Colorado, so I know what mountain roads look like.  However, this was an experience unlike any other.  As expected, the roads were perilous, muddy and rutted.  The ride was bone jarring and nearly vertical, at least as much as gravity allows.

We got to visit a village that I thought was at the top of the world, but then I found out we would be going higher the next day.  We visited the town of La Avenzada. The views were incredible.  This is a community that already has a relationship with another American church, Divine Shepherd in Omaha. We were able to see the work their team has been doing over the last four years.  I could not help but wonder what things will be like in four years from when we partner with a village.

It is now Wednesday and we have just returned from visiting two villages farther up the mountain.  One is Chaguiton, the other El Progeso.  We are withholding judgement until we visit a third village tomorrow, Corozal.

We are staying in apartments in La Unión. They are comfortable enough, although somewhat spartan. the restaurant is good, so we are not tarving or getting sick. We sleep well each night, so we are doing well, overall. The Christian witness we provide is great but we are very surprised about the receptive response from our hosts.  We are very excited to see the opportunities God is revealing to us and we are being stretched more than I thought possible.

I  will send pictures, there are a bunch of them, but I need a Spaish translator with me to figure how to add them.  Do not laugh!

Blessings,
Bruce

The Discovery Team begins it's work

The Discovery Team has arrived safely in Guatemala.  Our work is to visit villages in the mountains above Gualan to find communities that want to partner with us to bring about meaningful change in health, education and spiritual growth among the people who live there.  As Pastor Steve Hughey, Executive Director of Central American Lutheran Mission Society (CALMS) and Miguel Torniere, CALMS' Missionary at Large began to instruct us on the week's work we began to realize the many challenges and opportunities that lay before us.  CALMS deeply values the long relationship we have had with them and is encouraging us to seek new and varied ways to do mission work. We have done some great work in home building, and we take great pride in the relationships we have built in the process, but we can do so much more. We are considering adopting a village where we can make some real difference in the lives of an entire community, especially where there is a great spiritual void. 

Our group, composed of Shirley Arbet, Kathy Carlson, Gayle Shearer, Pastor Dan Schepmann and Bruce Collet are learning from the CALMS team of Lori Newhouse, Pastor Steve Hughey and Pastor Miguel Torniere. Tomorrow is a big day in the mountains. Keep us in your prayers.

Bruce Collet

 

 

The team at devotions

A quick stop and a photo for the road

Homeward Bound

We have had a wonderful, productive journey, but now it is time to go home.  We left on Friday and arrived safely at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Guatemala City. We spent the evening dining leisurely at Restaurant Kacao. The food was authentic Mayan and the ambiance exceptional. A warm shower and a night's sleep on a good mattress have prepared us for the journey home.  We're tired but satisfied. God has led us mightily as we worked together.  It will be good to be home.

As we traveled to Guatemala we stopped in a small village called San Cristobal. It was a beautiful little village with a magnificent Catholic Church. We include a couple photos of this lovely place:

Gayle Shearer and I will be returning to Guatemala on September 9, along with Pastor Dan, Shirley Arbet, and Kathy Carlson to travel with CALMS leadership on an investigative tour of several villages in the mountains above Gualan. Our work in Guatemala will likely be expanded to include short term mission trips for medical and educational. We are very excited about the future and welcome you to join us in the journey. 

Blessings,

Bruce Collet

Houses Dedicated!

Well, our time here in Guatemala is coming to a close.  Both houses were dedicated today and the families are able to officially move into their new homes!  As Pastor Luis was unable to accompany us for the dedications, Bruce was kind enough to lead the ceremonies, with the help of Alex (one of the CALMS workers) to translate.  Prior to the dedications, the ladies and Bob were able to visit Hearts in Motion, a nutrition center that takes in malnourished children and nurses them back to health.  Many have additional health issues such as cleft palates or hand deformations.  It was just another reminder of the many challenges families face here in Guatemala.  The rest of the group stayed back to put the finishing touches on the second house and spend some time bonding with the family.  Our hearts are heavy as we prepare to head to Guatemala City in the morning. It has been a wonderful week of bonding with the families, building houses, building community, and, of course, spreading God's Word and his message of love to this community.  Both houses received a cross made of olive wood from Jerusalem to display in their homes, as well as a children's bible in English and Spanish so that God's Word can continue to flourish among these families.  We are sad to say goodbye, yet know that He will protect and watch over the community here.  With all that said, I will let the pictures below carry you through our journey today!

"The Few But Mighty!"
Pictured Standing from Left to Right: Bruce Collet, Gayle Shearer, Bob Halloway, Victor Roy
Pictured Sitting from Left to Right: Kristy Gerschefske, Diane Halloway, Ed Shearer

One of the greatest things we brought with us....a "futbol"!

Taken yesterday....."Is it ready yet?!"

Returning home from school

A "Tuc-Tuc" is the main form of transportation around town; utilized like a cab is in the US.

"Head Honchos" 
Bruce and Romero

Bruce with the CALMS workers, minus Nilss
From Left to Right: Hector, Alex, (Bruce), Romero

Victor giving his official "seal of approval" on the new outhouse!

These toys were a hit!  The kids built cars, houses, and much more! Such teamwork and sharing was shown among all the kids as they worked together to erect different structures and use their creativity and imagination.

The entrance to Hearts in Motion (Corazones en Movimiento)

One of the little ones.  He has been here several months and has seen much
improvement, though still small for his age.

Kristy coloring with the kiddos!  "What color is next?!"

IPhones enthrall kids of all cultures!

Gayle reads the story of Jesus to a Mom and her baby who come to Hearts in Motion weekly for help
with nutrition supplements.  The staff at HIM help Mom to learn appropriate foods to feed her baby to keep
him well nourished and thriving.

Playing "Peek-a-Boo" also transcends culture!

Back at the job site.....

Finished! This is what the inside of a house looks like when completed.

House #1

"Constructed for the family of Santos Gonzales"
A plaque is placed on the front of each of the houses to commemorate the construction and bless the home.

Ribbon Cutting! Momma and Pappa and 2 of their sons, Douglas (Left) and Byron (Right)

Family #1: Santos and her husband Utilio have 6 children and many grandchildren. 
Pictured here is 1 of their sons on the far right and the rest are grandchildren!  They were so happy and proud to be in their new home.  This family also received a new stove which Santos promptly began cooking on as soon as it was completed!

House #2: You can see the difference we are making by comparing the original "house", seen on the right,
compared to the new house we constructed on the left.  This family was very much in need!

The family of Norma and Rudolfo Aragon.  They have 5 children and many grandchildren as you can see above!

One of the children sporting some new clothes that were donated to the family.
She was so proud to show us her clothes!

This was the group of workers hired by CALMS to help us this week.....more like, we helped them!
They were extremely hard-working and fun guys.  Those that had previously been on trips here were happy to
see "Mucho Mancho" back again (pictured 2nd from the left in the back)!

Building homes is a family affair.  Carlos brought his two sons to apprentice with him on the houses this week!

And finally, a view of the neighborhood......

God Bless!

Hump Day!

We are officially halfway through the mission trip and beginning to really feel the effects of the last 3 days of hard work, but spirits are high and laughter is often!  We are truly enjoying our time in Guatemala being able to learn more and more about the culture, create relationships with the families, and ministering God's Word. 

Today brought the finishing of the floor in one house and the painting of both houses. We are ahead of schedule on both and plan to have the dedications tomorrow afternoon!  Unfortunately Bob's computer is acting up so we only have pictures from one of the houses, but rest assured, the guys worked very hard today hauling the makings of concrete for the floors and painting the outside of the house! Hopefully tomorrow we can post some of those pictures.  For now, here's what the girls were up to today.......

Diane reaches to make sure every corner is covered in paint!

Gayle scales the ladder to reach the eves!

Apparently if you reach high enough and inhale enough paint fumes, everything becomes funny!!

Kristy has a serious paint roller malfunction.  The worst part....this was roller #2!

                                               

The whole family got involved in painting today!

Today was wash day for many families, as they gathered around the faucets that bring water into this section of town.  We have all decided we can no longer complain about having to "do laundry" in the US by simply bringing clothes down a hallway and pushing a button!

A great many thanks to all of you who are posting comments and keeping us in your prayers.  Rest assured we are checking the blog daily and enjoying your feedback and comments! God Bless!






Written by:
Kristy Gerschefske

Photos:
Gayle Shearer