Building Guate/Land of Hope Day

Sorry I didn't get the chance to update everyone last night, but after a long day of travel everyone was ready for bed when we arrived. We had the wonderful and difficult opportunity to go out to The Land of Hope today, which is a dump ministry that is headed up by Oscar and his nonprofit Building Guate. Words cannot express the experience that we all were a part of today. It definitely gives a lot of prospective to those of us who wish we had more. The people that have been saved from living in the dump ground by Building Guate, now have their own homes and a new community that they are part of. The only thing is, there community is built less than 100 yards from the city dump of Escuintla. I will post a few picture from that day down below with some descriptions of what you are looking at.

Today our group toured the Land of Hope and the school that has been built to help educate the kids that are living in the dump. We also helped host a Vacation Bible School program for the kids, hosted a women's Bible study group were 11 of the attendees accepted Jesus for the first time in their life. Praise God!! We also helped out with a digging project for the new birthing center that they are hoping to add to the facilities. It is amazing to see what God is doing through this ministry and the doors that he is opening for Oscar and his organization.

This was a very great but difficult day. It is hard to see people living amongst all the trash and having to dig through for food to live. If any of you ever get the chance to experience this ministry, I would highly encourage it! Well I am going to sign off for tonight. Please let me know if you have any questions or would like to see more!

 Water treatment system that is used to get pure drinking water to the village as well as those living in the dump.

 Main "front yard" to all the home, also doubles as a group gathering area. The tree also provides amazing shade for tire, hot Americas!

 A few of the homes that have been built by Building Guate.

A few more of the houses on the right, on the left is the clinic that was built to help with minor medical needs. In the background is the dump ground. As you can see, there is smoke everywhere and there are constant fires burning in the dump.

Orphanage Day 5

Today was the final day at the orphanage. We didn't end up getting any of our projects completely done, but we made a lot of progress in our time here. Ivan and Kimberly were very impressed by the work and work ethic of this group. They blessed everyone today with a picture magnet of everyone at the orphanage.

It has been an amazing trip and I can't wait until I can get back down here.

Tomorrow we will be touring Antigua and be driving into Guatemala City to fly out on Sunday. Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers for everyone who came in this trip. We really appreciate all you do for us and for allowing us the opportunity to get to come back.

Orphanage Day 4

Not much of an update today, everyone is still working on their projects. We have high hopes for finishing all the projects by tomorrow. It's hard to believe that tomorrow will be the last day!

Thanks everyone for your continued thoughts and prayers.

Orphanage Day 3

We had another proficient day at the orphanage today! We are getting close to the end of a few of the projects, but still have work to do. The end of the week will be here before we know it. The trip has been going well so far. No illness or injury, and the weather has been amazing this far, possibly has something to do with the rainbow we saw over Guatemala while we were in the plane.

Everyone is working hard and doing everything they can to get the jobs completed. Even Ivan is helping dig trenches! It's hard to not work hard when you see someone who is so passionate about what they do.

Thank you everyone for reading and your thoughts and prayers. Please let me know if there is anything you would like to hear about it if there is anyone you would like me to pass a message along to. You are all amazing!

Orphanage Day 2

Today was the first day of work out at the orphanage. We got quite a bit accomplished today. The main projects of the day were concrete and wall removal in the 2 story storage building as well as painting one house and staining in another. I didn't get around to the painting or staining groups but I think there progress was just as good as the concrete group. By the end of the day, you could tell that the groups were getting tired and were really slowing down.

Tomorrow will more than likely be similar schedules. Hopefully everybody will be in high spirits for another hard day of work.

Please be praying for one of the members of one of the other teams. She was bitten by a bug this morning and her foot is in a lot of pain and very swollen. Other than that, everyone is doing well. As always, if you would like to share anything with the group please let me know. Also, thanks for all the thoughts and prayers!

Orphanage Day 1

Today was the teams first day at the orphanage. Most of the day was spent with the rules of the orphanage and the tour of the orphanage and widows homes. Some of us who have been down here before got a little work done today during the tours. Tomorrow we will hit the ground running. The projects that we will be working on are cutting out sod, breaking up concrete, digging footings, painting, and staining cabinets. It should be a very busy week!

So far everyone is in good health and in high spirits. Thanks again everyone for your thoughts and prayers!

If you'd like to share anything with the group please email me at Jjschuh7632@gmail.com and I will be glad to pass it along.

Orphanage Day 1

Today was the teams first day at the orphanage. Most of the day was spent with the rules of the orphanage and the tour of the orphanage and widows homes. Some of us who have been down here before got a little work done today during the tours. Tomorrow we will hit the ground running. The projects that we will be working on are cutting out sod, breaking up concrete, digging footings, painting, and staining cabinets. It should be a very busy week!

So far everyone is in good health and in high spirits. Thanks again everyone for your thoughts and prayers!

If you'd like to share anything with the group please email me at Jjschuh7632@gmail.com and I will be glad to pass it along.