Lydia’s House #Guatemala2017

The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.

Maya Angelou

In Guatemala last week, we had the opportunity to impact a woman and her family by blessing her with a new home.  I’ll get into more details on the building process tomorrow, but I wanted to give you a glimpse into this remarkable young woman and into the importance of this house in her life.
Lydia’s husband left her 3 or 4 years ago.  From what I can gather, he probably migrated north to the United States with the hope of finding better work and the promise of sending money back to Lydia.  Lydia hasn’t seen her husband since his departure, and she certainly hasn’t reaped any financial benefit from his departure.
Lydia is essentially a widow.  She is a single woman left to raise her four children in a place where work is hard to find and doesn’t pay enough to meet the needs of her family.

This is Lydia

Lydia and her family have been living with her father (or father-in-law – I’m unclear on this detail).  He tries to help, but his health is failing.  His desire is to make sure Lydia and his grandchildren are safe and secure with a roof over their heads.

This is Lydia’s father

Lydia has four children.  She has three boys and one daughter.  Her oldest son, Eddie, is eleven years old.  They are a beautiful family.

This is Lydia’s family (or most of it)

A house represents security, shelter, and stability.  As a result of this new home, Lydia and her kids will have protection from the rain, protection from potential abductors, and a place to rest.  A house provides hope and a springboard to sustainability for her family.

This is Lydia’s new house

We all need a fresh start from time to time.  For Lydia, this house provides the fresh start she needs.  It’s an opportunity for her to practically experience God’s provision in her life, and it’s a great way to connect her with her community and with us – the team who helped this become a reality in her life.  It was such an honor and privilege for our team to be part of this new beginning for Lydia.

This is Lydia’s new beginning

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Matthew 25-34-40