Guatemala Photo of the Day – Rosita (Again)
What can I say?
Look at her. Wouldn’t you do anything for Rosita?
Guatemala Photo of the Day – Let’s Get This Party Started
I remember arriving at the job site the first day last summer, and wondering how in the world we would accomplish the task at hand – to build two houses in a week (with a very limited building team). I think this is what we were all thinking as we started our first work day this summer.
As I stood back observing and taking pictures, I was partially afraid and mostly just ready to get to work. It wasn’t the party many of you expect, but there is nothing quite like celebrating the construction of a new home for a widow and her family. The party was just getting underway as we met the family and tried to determine the initial steps in our building project.
Guatemala Photo of the Day – More Than A Pile of Wood
When we arrived at the job site the first day there was a pile of wood, but it was more than just a pile of wood.
The small team who arrived a few days before us had actually poured a lot of sweat and muscle into the wood. The three members of the team who arrived early actually spent several days chopping the bark off the pieces of wood using machetes. It was hard work that left blisters on their hands and sunburn on their faces.
This pile of wood represents all the love, tenderness, and generosity that went into building each portion of this house.
Guatemala Photo of the Day – A Little Help From Our Friends
We built two houses in Guatemala this past summer.
There’s no way we could do this without some help.
German Espana worked hard ahead of our arrival, and he hired a few locals to help us out as we began our first day on the job.
One of the thing I loved about our adventure to Guatemala is the opportunity we had to work alongside locals. They helped us, and we helped them.
Missionaries don’t have to take over; they simply need to be there to provide a boost and to point people in the right direction. I’m so thankful for the opportunities to have a little help from new friends.
Guatemala Photo of the Day – Rosita!
I’m not sure she knew what to think when we walked into her back yard at first. She is the youngest of five children. And we are tall, white folks who speak a strange language.
Before long, Rosita captured our hearts, and we turned her expressions of uncertainty into giant smiles as we interacted with her family while we helped to build her a new home.
When we go back, it will be fun to see Rosita. I wonder if she’ll even remember us.
Guatemala Photo of the Day – El Alma
El alma means the soul (if Google translation is working correctly).
German Espana is the heart and soul of Santo Domingo Xenacoj. I have met very few people with a heart the size of German’s heart. This man will do absolutely anything for the people of his community. This day his heart was rejoicing as he saw steps being taken to change the lives of a widow and her family.
When I grow up, I want to be like German – El Alma!
The Discipline Of Taking Risks
Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.
T. S. Eliot
When was the last time you took a risk?
What ultimately led to you taking the risk?
I don’t know about you, but I’m not a big risk taker. In fact, my natural inclination away from risk seems to grow more and more as I age.
I was listening to a podcast the other day, and someone said “The biggest risk is not taking a risk.”
Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Being risky doesn’t have to mean doing something stupid, but it does mean getting outside your comfort zone. It could mean taking a calculated risk. According to dictionary.com, a calculated risk is:
a chance of failure, the probability of which is estimated before some action is undertaken.
This type of risk requires discipline. If we don’t learn to take calculated risks from time to time we will live a life of regret and wonderment. We’ll be left to wonder what could have been.
Three years ago, I was imprisoned by a fear of failure and a fear of the unknown. I missed out on many opportunities because I lacked the courage and faith to step into the unknown. This is about the time my friend, Adam Flora, asked me to join him on a missions trip to Guatemala. It would have been much easier to simply say “no” than to go through the anxiety of saying yes and worrying about the potential outcomes.
Fortunately, I decided to take the risk. I calculated the chance of failure, and I made the leap of faith to go along on the adventure of a lifetime. This trip changed my perspective on short-term missions, on Guatemala, and on the importance discipline of taking risks.
Several years ago, Jason Fountain guest posted on my blog, and he shared an interested story in his post. Here’s an excerpt from that post:
John Maxwell relates a story shared by sociologist Anthony Campolo. Campolo tells about a group of 50 people over the age of 90 years old who were asked one question: If you could live your life over again, what would you do differently?
The question was open-ended and the people’s answers were varied. However, three ideas consistently emerged.
1. If I had it to do over again, I would reflect more.
2. If I had it to do over again, I would risk more.
3. If I had it to do over again, I would do more things that would live on after I am dead.
Number two on this list was all about risk. As I watch my daughter preparing for college, I am reminded how quickly life moves forward. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to end up like the people in Tony Campolo’s survey. When I get to the end of my life, I want to know for certain I lived my life to the fullest. While it may stretch me, I want to practice the discipline of taking risks.
How about you?
How would your world be different if you made the decision to practice the discipline of taking risks? How has risk-taking made a difference in your life?
Guatemala Photo of the Day – Brain Power
Here is Betty’s father (who we referred to as El Abuelo) and Ken Shull.
El Abuelo has learned through years of working the land around Xenacoj. Ken is a materials science engineering professor at Northwestern.
The brain power represented here in education and experience was more than enough to make sure we built a great house for Betty and her family. I’m so glad I had the opportunity to work alongside these to gentlemen this summer.
Guatemala Photo of the Day – Have You Seen Betty?
Betty is a widow. She has five kids. And she could use a little help.
We had the honor and privilege of building a home for Betty. She struggles with migraines (just like me from time to time). She has a challenge keeping her kids fed, clothed, and learning. It was a blessing for us to give her a little boost while we were in Guatemala last summer.
Guatemala Photo of the Day – More Than A Pile Of Wood
Here’s what the house looked like when we arrived on our first day of work.
German Espana coordinated locals to come before us and lay the foundation and pour the floor. These are absolutely necessary to building a house that lasts. From here, we installed wood on the sides of the house.
Honestly, when we arrived, I didn’t quite know what to think. I was excited. I was wondering if our family of four was up to the task with the help of a few other partners from Chicago and a couple of locals.
This pile of wood represents a bright future for a family in need. It looks bleak at first, but there is hope in this pile of wood. In a matter of a couple of days, this pile of wood would turn into a home for a widow, her five children, and her father.
What is impossible in your life right now? What looks chaotic and messy?
There is hope and healing in your messy chaos.
