Guatemala 2016 Update – Coincidence Or Something Else

Do you believe in coincidences?  Or do you believe that things line up to work for or against you?

Maybe another way to put it is this – do you believe in spiritual warfare?

Our trip to Guatemala has been pretty good, but there have been some things happening that could be classified as coincidences or could be considered spiritual warfare.

For example, today I came back to our house in Xenacoj after a run with Hannah, and I started to experience migraine symptoms.  Then our van had problems with the tires, and we had to get two of them replaced delaying our trip to Santo Marie, a nearby town where we were going to clean out the ears of widows.  Tonight, we found out that one of our team members received a disturbing text message from home about a friend who’s son overdosed on heroin.

We had a few other things happen along the way in just three short days, and it makes you wonder.  Is Satan fighting against us, or is it all just a coincidence?

I’m not typically one to get overly wrapped up in talks of spiritual warfare.  I typically believe that we get oursevles into our own messes by our stupid decisions and poor choices.  But I’ve also heard stories of people trying to do good for others only to be held up by a resistive force.

Regardless, I’d ask you to keep our team in your prayers as we continue to minister in and around Xenacoj.  Pray that God would open doors for us to share the gospel in words and in actions to those who need to know the love of Christ.  Pray for the safety and health of our team as we continue to serve.  And pray for protection for those we are service – specifically the widows receiving the houses we are building during our time here.

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This morning we traveled to Santo Marie to help clean the ears of widows in this village outside of Xenacoj.  When we showed up, there were men, women, and young children standing in line to receive this service.  Our team did a remarkable job examining each patient and taking time to analyze their ears.  They cared for them with love and compassion.

I spent a decent amount of time talking with German Espana who has a huge concern and compassion for the orphans and widows in his community.  As we talked, it was moving to see the tears roll down his cheeks as he shared is worries on how to keep providing for those in his community.  I love talking to German who an unbelievable heart.

As we were finishing up at this clinic, there was a young boy named Kevin who had a rash on his face.  It looked infected, and I’m thankful we had nurses on site to take a look at them.  They were able to give him some antibiotic which will hopefully help the rash clean up.  When the team returns on Friday, it will be interesting to see if there is a change in Kevin’s condition.

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Since the clinic ended early, we decided to take a trip to Antiqua for an evening of shopping, eating, and walking around the touristy area 40 minutes from Xenacoj.  With this being my fourth trip to Guatemala.  I have already been to Antigua three or four times, so I honestly wasn’t overly excited about returning here again.

We stopped at an old Catholic cloister turned hotel/museum on our way into town.  This was far more beautiful than I had expected.  When we finally made it into the heart of the town, our kids ended up hanging out with the other members of our team while Leanne and I stopped at McDonald’s for an ice cream cone and a Coke.  (I had the ice cream cone, and Leanne had the Coke.). If you’re unfamiliar with the McDonald’s in Antigua, you should know that it’s one of the nicest McDonald’s in the entire world.  We sat for a while talking about our experiences so far.  It was refreshing to sit and talk – just the two of us.

We met our team in one of the markets before catching dinner on the roof top terrace of a beautiful hotel.  It was such a fancy treat, and our team enjoyed the opportunity to laugh and relax together.  This was not the typical “missions trip” dinner for sure, and I won’t soon forget the flashes of lightning surrounding us as a storm crept into the area.  Just as the rains started falling, we walked off the roof, paid our bill, and hustled back to Cafe Barista to meet our ride back to Xenacoj.

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It was a fantastic day!

Guatemala 2016 Update – Friday Finish Strong

(Friday, July 15, 2016)

Today, our family primarily concentrated on finishing up the house for Dolores.  In the morning, we completed the two side walls.  And after lunch and a short siesta, we completed the front wall of her house.

As we left the job site for the day, our new friend, Jose, was finished up the electrical work for the house with Marcella, one of Dolores’ sons.  And German’s father-in-law, Antonio, stopped by to install the two windows and the door.

Tomorrow, we should be able to finish up things on the house when we install the wood spacers on the walls to close up the gaps life by the boards on the walls.

Two cool things happened towards the end of our work day:

First, I sat back and watched as our kids worked together to hammer nails in one of the final pieces of wood on the front wall.  As I watched a feeling of warmth filled my heart, and I said to Leanne, “It’s so cool that our kids get to build houses for other people.”  As parents, we have an opportunity (and I would argue that we have a responsibility) to teach our kids the value of serving others.  There are many reasons for bringing your family on a missions trip, and one of those reasons is to help them experience service to others in need.

Second, as we said our goodbyes to Dolores and her family and headed for the door to her yard, I noticed her walking back to the house with two of her grandsons.  I snuck back in and looked in the window of the house where I saw her grandsons spinning around with joy.  As I looked over at Dolores, I noticed a big smile on her face.  She was happy.  I traveled all the way to Guatemala, and my trip was just made.  There is tremendous joy that comes when you serve others and when you help them find a piece of joy.  I think that’s what are family did this week.  And we get to do it all over again next week!

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As we walked out of Dolores’ yard, we took a quick trip to the corner store to grab a couple of treats to finish off the day.  Leanne and the kids walked into the store, and I was stopped by a lady who started asking me questions in Spanish.  My Spanish has been improving this trip, but I struggled to understand what she was saying.  Thankfully, our translator for the week, Rafael, came over and helped me out.

I’m pretty sure the woman was asking for me to build a house for her and her two children.

It appears she was waiting for us to leave the job site for the day, so she could ask us for help.

I don’t know her need, and there wasn’t a lot I could do at that moment, but my heart broke.

By myself, I can help a few widows, but I can’t help everyone.  But with the help of others, there is tremendous power to help a lot of people.  Building 100 homes (or more) will not happen by myself or by my efforts.  It will take a community of people coming together to do something good.  Part of that community resides in the United States and in other wealthy countries, and part of that community resides right here in Xenacoj.

My dream is to see members of the Xenacoj community coming together with help from people like me to make their community better – especially for widows and orphans.  My dream is also to help people experience the love of Christ in a practical way, because people like me decided to lend a helping hand.

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This year, a friend (Anne Flynn) joined us on our trip to Guatemala.  She is a nurse, and she has talked to Leanne about coming the past few years after hearing about her adventures in Xenacoj.  Anne has had the experience of a life time, and it’s been fun to watch her eyes and heart wake up through her opportunities to touch and serve the people of Guatemala.  Today, she cleaned ears in Sante Marie with our other nurse team member, Hillary.

It will be sad to say goodbye to both of them on Sunday when they return home, but I’m excited for Anne.  I think she will have amazing stories to share with family and friends back home.  I think she’ll be back in Xenacoj next year, and I’m pretty sure she’ll bring a few people back with her.

If my adventures in Guatemala have made you curious, I’d love to talk to you.  Now is the time to start planning for a missions trip next summer.

Guatemala 2016 Update – Dedicated

(Saturday, July 16, 2016)

We finished Dolores’ house today, and we held a dedication ceremony at noon today here in Xenacoj.

I’m so happy with the finished product of this house.  It came out much better than the last two we built two years ago.  The cinder blocks went up two more layers, and we used wood for the walls that was more finished that last time.  We also put wood strips on the inside of the house to close up the gaps in the wall.  The house is clean and tight.  It should provide protection and warmth for Dolores and her family for many years to come.

Before we arrived at the house for the dedication, our family stopped by the local grocery store and market to pick up 5 pounds of beef, soap, peach roses, brown rice, black beans, white sugar, watermelon, squash, and pineapple.  We also brought a lemon cake (thanks to Hillary) and a brand new Spanish Bible.  We moved seven beds into the house, and the family was glowing as we moved these items into their brand new house.

At the dedication ceremony, Hannah read some words our family put together, and we prayed for the house and for Dolores.  Then it was time to celebrate.  We took pictures of the children as they climbed into their new beds.  And we gave hugs to Dolores and her family.  It felt a little like the scene from It’s A Wonderful Life when George Bailey hands over the keys to the Italian family as they purchase their first house.

Just as I finished praying, one of the family members set off a bunch of firecrackers in the street outside our house.  There was certainly reason to celebrate.  You could see tears flowing down Dolores’ cheeks and down the cheeks of her daughter.

I love having the opportunity to give away a house to people in need.  And I love the community it takes to pull something like this off.

Next week, we’ll do it again, and even though I’m exhausted now, I cannot wait.

Tonight, the big annual festival in Xenacoj begins.  Assuming the weather cooperates, we will celebrate by walking over to Central Park to be there for the big night.

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I enjoyed a nice siesta (nap) this afternoon.  I don’t think I slept long, but I slept deeply.

When I woke up, our family took a walk over the Angela’s house.  We built a house for Angela two years ago when we were in Xenacoj.  I asked German about the house when we first arrived in Xenacoj earlier this week, and he mentioned something about the back wall being torn apart.  Apparently, the back wall of the house was built too close or even over the property boundary line.

As we were looking for her house, we struggled to find it at first.  There were many new buildings along the road, and at first it seemed like we weren’t on the right road.  As we were backtracking, I looked over the wall of one of the properties and saw the edge of her house.  A two story bar had been built right in front of her house.

We were waved into the property by a familiar face.  It wasn’t Angela, but I’m pretty sure it was one of her relatives.  Angela was out at a reunion of some sort, but we were welcomed in and permitted to take pictures.  We looked into the back of Angela’s house, and I could see how the back wall had been compromised.  Honestly, I wanted to cry.   Then I snuck around back where some stray dogs were living.  They weren’t crazy about me trespassing in their “territory,” but I had to see the back of the house for myself.  Sure enough, the cinder blocks along the back of the house had been removed, and the wooden boards that made out the back of the house had been redistributed in an effort to cover the back of the house.  Now there were huge gaps in between the wooden planks, and the top part of the back wall had to be covered with some sort of tarp.

Angela was still living there, but the house was not the same.

We will stop back over there later this week with Dave Sgro and German Espana to look at the house together.  I’m hoping we can come up with some kind of plan for suring up the back wall of Angela’s house.

I am frustrated that Angela’s house was damaged in this fashion.  I’m frustrated that her house was built so close to the property line.  I’m frustrated that there was no one to advocate for her, and I’m frustrated that she doesn’t have anyone to help her keep up with things.

Out of frustration can often come new perspectives and fresh ideas for making things better.

I still want to build 100 houses for widows in Guatemala, but I also want to find a way to help these widows maintain their properties.  Some widows (like Betty) have family support around them, but many widows do not have this kind of support, and they need people who will lend them a helping hand.

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After our visit to Angela’s house, we walked over to Central Park.  We enjoyed an ice cream treat while sitting on one of the benches.  After a quick look in the market, we sat down again and listened to live music being performed at the opening of the festival.  We were greeted by the mayor, Mario.  We didn’t have the opportunity to talk at this time, but I’m hoping we might get a chance to talk over the next week.  I’d like hear his thoughts on building more homes in Xenacoj and on providing additional support to the widows.

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Tomorrow, our nursing team heads home, and the next week will be different as it will just be our family.  We will miss our friends, but I’m excited to have more time with our immediate family.  Tomorrow will be a day for rest around town.  Hannah needs to get a run in tomorrow, and I will most likely enjoy time on the roof before everyone else gets up.  I have really enjoyed this time to wake up, reflect, read, and pray.  At home, we rush around so much.  The pace of life in Guatemala has reminded me of the importance of taking time to slow down.

Guatemala 2016 Update – On Our Way

Tonight, our family checked into the hotel by the airport where we will be departing early in the morning for our trip to Guatemala.  I’m not sure what kind of on-line access I will have once we touch down in Guatemala City.  If I have access, I’ll try to give you updates from time to time.  If I don’t have access, I’ll have plenty of stories to share when I return.

There have been so many plans, people, and prayers that have led us to this point.

Honestly, my week has been very busy, and I haven’t fully come to terms with the fact that we are going back to Xenacoj.  At work on Friday, I told several people that I would finally relax and get into the right mindset on the plane between Miami and Guatemala City.  We’ll see tomorrow if I’m right.

Guatemala has a way of recalibrating you.  The pace of life is slower.  There is a contentment that seems to radiate from the people we will be serving.  It’s my prayer that I will soak in the slower pace and the contentment.

My friend, Matt Lovell, encouraged me to be present as I traveled back to Guatemala.  This may be the best advice I could have received.  I want to connect with those I’m serving.  I want to connect with those serving along side me.  And I want to connect with my Creator.

Tomorrow, our journey in Xenacoj begins.

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Special thanks to Jeff and Christie Grover for helping us out with our car while we’re away.

Special thanks to Camela and Michael Pastorius for helping us out with our dog while we’re away.

Special thanks to John Ames for the timely note.  As I shared a couple weeks ago here on the blog, words have the power to tear down and to build up.  These words were a great encouragement.

And special thanks to all of you for your thoughts, prayers, and support.  I am humbled.

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And now, it’s time for bed.  Morning will come very early.

Buenos noches!

Ice Breaker – Video Game Day!

Most weeks on The Stretched Blog, I ask an ice breaker question on Fridays. The questions are designed to help us get to know each other here in The Stretched Community. I’ll provide my answer to the question here in the post, and then you can leave your response in the comments. While you’re in the comments section, see how others answered the ice breaker question.

Today is Video Game Day!  Today’s Ice Breaker question is inspired by this special holiday.

Question:  What is your favorite video game?

My Answer:  I remember playing Pong.  I remember playing games on systems like Atari 2600, Commodore 64, ColecoVision, Intellivision, and Nintendo.  I played games like Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, River Raid, Spy Hunter, Carnival, and Test Drive.  I also remember playing arcade games at the mall.  I played games like Turbo, Dragon’s Lair, and Centipede.  Now, I’m hooked on games like Clash of Clans, Words with Friends, and Boom Beach.

If I had to play a video game over and over again for days and days, I’d probably go with NBA Jam.  When I was in college at Grove City College, my roommate and I could often be found outside the Geedunk feeding quarters into the NBA Jam machine on our way to beating all the NBA duals.  I might be a millionaire today if I has simply invested the money spent on this game instead of “wasting” it on hours of virtual basketball.  Instead, I have phrases from the game like “Boom Chackalacka” and “He’s On Fire” that reverberate in my head from time to time.  Oh well!

Answer this week’s ice breaker question by leaving a comment. I look forward to reading your response! (As always, feel free to share links.)  And keep Stretching!

To get a FREE copy of 101 Ice Breaker Ideas (an eBook by me), sign up below:

Nine Years Ago – A Blog Is Born

Today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth.

Lou Gehrig

9 years ago yesterday, I published the very first post on my blog.  In a couple of weeks, I will be pressing ‘Publish’ on my 2,000th blog post.

It all started when my friend, Frank, encouraged me and challenged me to start a blog.

When I started, I’m quite sure I didn’t know what I was getting myself into.

Blogging has been an incredible discipline in my life.  I’ve explored many areas of my thoughts on the “pages” of my blog.  I’ve stretched out loud, and I’ve challenged others to stretch on a variety of topics including:  marriage, family, parenting, faith, leadership, and missions.

Blogging has also been the springboard for my connection with people from around the world.  I’ve connected with people in Australia, Germany, England, and Canada (and many other countries).  I’ve connected with people in California, Texas, Georgia, Washington, and Hawaii.  I’ve even met people around my own community as a result of my blog.

Blogging has forced me to learn about SEO, affiliate marketing, guest posting, self-publishing, and list building.  And it’s made me realize how little I really know.

Blogging helped me realize a dream of publishing my first book.  It helped me take a leap of faith.  And it is helping me realize a goal of building 100 houses in Guatemala one house at a time.

In many respects, I feel like I’m just getting started.  I have more ideas to share.  I have more stretching to do.  And I have more to learn.

What will the next 9 years bring?  I sometimes wonder.  I’m hoping to write and publish more books.  I’m hoping to find a way to couple my love for writing and stretching others to support my love for building houses in Guatemala for widows.  I’m hoping to start a mastermind group for dads and husbands as a result of my blog.  I’m hoping to build a legacy for my family, my friends, and my followers.  And I’m hoping to keep stretching.

How does somebody blog for 9 years?  I sometimes get this question.  It starts with one idea – one blog post – at a time.  It starts with a willingness to be transparent and vulnerable and an understanding that everyone won’t like what you have to say.  It starts with an acceptance of imperfection.  And it starts with a decision to repeat it all again the next day or the next post.

I’m so glad I started down this journey 9 years ago, and I can’t wait to post again tomorrow!

When you’re in the day-to-day grind, it just seems like it’s another step along the way. But I find joy in the actual process, the journey, the work. It’s not the end. It’s not the end event.

Cal Ripken, Jr.

What were you doing 9 years ago?  If you started a blog today, what would you say?  Share your thoughts in the comments.

Why You Need To Write Your Eulogy Today

One way to evaluate your own reputation is to think about what would be said of you at your eulogy.

Brian Koslow

Have you ever taken time to write your eulogy?

Why would anyone want to write their eulogy?

While I was in Vermont last week, I worked on my eulogy and my life plan.  I spent a lot of time working on these documents.  My eulogy filled two pages in my journal, but the thoughts that went into creating the eulogy filled eleven pages of my journal.  I spent nearly three hours creating this document.

My life plan is still in progress.  I started my charting out my key accounts – the people and the areas of my life where I want to direct the bulk of my attention.  I prioritized them.  And I wrote a purpose statement for each of these accounts.  My next step was to envision the future if I were to achieve the purpose in each of these accounts.  By the time I finish, I will have an action plan – a life plan – for living my life with more intention.

I’m using Living Forward (by Michael Hyatt and Daniel Harkavy) to guide my thought process.  If you want to take a deeper look into your life, I’d encourage you to pick up a copy of the book, read it, and schedule time to implement the process outlined in the book.  Click here to get your own copy of the book.

When I told a few people I was working on my eulogy, I got a mix of responses.  Some people cheered me on.  Some people said they would just let their kids and grandchildren write their eulogy.  And some people proclaimed how morbid this activity seemed to them.

It’s interesting timing for me to work on this.  I’m doing fine health wise.  I don’t plan on dying anytime soon, but you never know.  Actually, the reason this timing was interesting was that my parents just sent me copies of their eulogies.  They are still alive, but they have recently experienced some health challenges that are making them take these actions.

I didn’t work on my eulogy because my parents sent me their eulogies.  I didn’t write my eulogy because I was feeling morbid.

I wrote my eulogy at the age of 44, because I want to live with intention.

Writing your own eulogy is an exercise in thinking about how you want to be remembered.  When you know how you want to be remembered, you begin to better understand the way you should live your life today.  I’m not writing my eulogy to be morbid.  I’m writing my eulogy to make sure I’m living life to the fullest.

It’s never too early to live with intention.  It’s never too early to write your eulogy.

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.  Psalm 90:12

Have you written your eulogy?  What are you doing to live your life with intention?  Share your thoughts in the comments.

I’m in the early stages of planning a Stretched Dad Mastermind group.  I don’t have all the details yet, but I’m hoping to launch in September.  If you sign up below, I’ll get back to you with more information.

Guatemala Update 2016 – Preparation for Departure

Stretching was a major part of my preparation.

Edwin Moses

This week is all about preparation.  I like Edwin Moses’ quote above.  I know he was talking about the stretching he had to do as he prepared for competing at the highest level as an Olympic hurtler, but I think it applies to my experience this week.  I will be STRETCHING this week as part of my preparation.

In less than one week, our family will be in Guatemala. While we are there, we will be completing the construction of two new homes for two widows and their families. This is just part of the process. Much ground work has been happening ahead of our trip. Thank you to all of the fundraising which has helped to make these two houses possible. Thank you to German España and his team on the ground in Guatemala who have started building the bases for the homes. And thank you to the widows and their families who are already stepping in to help build their homes.

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July!

I hope you have a wonderful day with family and friends today watching parades, watching fireworks, and eating great barbecue/picnic food.

Enjoy the day of rest.

And celebrate the great things about living in the United States.  (Yes.  There are great things about living here.)

See you tomorrow.

I’m Not Ignoring You

Every moment in our lives is a miracle we should enjoy instead of ignoring.

Yoko Ono

I’m not ignoring you.  I promise.

I’ve just been doing my best to pay attention to my wife this week.  We were in Vermont for the past week celebrating our 20th Anniversary (a few weeks early).

It was a great week, and I did my best to unplug as much as possible and to practice the discipline of being present.

I’ll have some new posts this week.

Hope you are doing well!

What was one of your highlights from this past week?  Share your highlight in the comments.