So built we the wall…

Our first full day in Guatemala was spent restingand getting our project location set up. The team enjoyed the downtime after ten days of intensive training at boot camp plus the long day of travel. On Tuesday we began our work project. We are building a stone wall around the property. The project includes gathering stones, placing stones in mortar and forms, mixing cement/mortar, digging holes to plant trees and clearing grass under the fruit trees. There are some very nice mango trees that we have been able to eat from. Two members of the team spend each day in the kitchen with the lady leaders cooking and baking. The team has been enjoying the food with many members coming back for seconds, thirds and even fourths! We rarely have leftovers. We are staying in dorms and each dorm room has a cold water shower. Laundry is done in buckets and dries on the line. The weather is very pleasant although the worksite can get hot in the sun. At night, temperatures are perfect for sleeping. We have a lovely view up on a hillside surrounded by mountains. Our day includes morning devotions, work project time, bath and laundry time, Bible classes, free time, and evening devotions as well as our meals. We also have a prayer closet running where each team member spends time praying for our project and the other teen mission teams that were sent out this summer. The team has enjoyed playing soccer and games during their free time. We have a couple chess sets available and some chess tournaments have started.

I love it here. Everything is great. The work project is great. I love working with other people and interacting with the Guatemalans who are helping us. I’m looking forward to getting the wall done. -Alyssa G

I like Guatemala because the culture is very friendly. I like digging holes on the work project. I’m looking forward to preaching the word of God and learning some Spanish. -James Bradley B

It’s a beautiful country. The people are nice. Fun work project. I like building the wall and doing the mortar. I’m looking forward to seeing more. -Nathan V