Tag Archives for " Guatemala "

The Building Process #Guatemala2017

The year, we build with Casas por Cristo. Casas is a fantastic organization, and I learned a lot through our experience this year that will be helpful as I pursue building 100+ houses in Guatemala.

Today, I’ll give you a glimpse into the building process. Our large team split into two smaller teams, and we both completed our houses in 2 1/2 days. The actual construction may have gone fast, but there were other steps before our build that paved the way for our visit.

Applying to Get a Home

In order to get a house, the pastor of a family in need must complete an application. Through this process, the pastor and associated church commit to coming around the family in an effort to disciple them and help them with their ongoing needs. The families selected make an average of $60 per week, and they typically live in huts made of cardboard, cornstalks, or bamboo.

Preparing the Site

The job site is prepared in advance of our arrival. In our case, the church community dug dirt out of the hill in an effort to level the site for the house, and they carried all the wood, stone, concrete, sand, and other building supplies down a huge hill to the job site.

Building the Forms and Leveling the Ground

When we arrived at the site, we gathered to meet the family and pray before the fun began. It didn’t take long to set up the cutting station and build the forms for the concrete foundation. Making sure the ground was as level as possible was critical to the next step.

Pouring the Concrete

Next we mixed the concrete with two mixers. Each batch of concrete included just the right mixture of sand, stone, concrete, and water. Before lunch on the first day, we had completed the concrete slab. This was a critical step, and we were reminded of the importance of having a firm foundation in our own lives to withstand the storms of life.

Building the Walls

Wall construction started on Monday afternoon and rolled into Tuesday. We build the walls on the ground before lifting them up onto the slab. Once the walls were square and attached appropriately to the concrete floor, we began the process of installing the exterior tongue and groove panels.

Installing the Roof

While the exterior walls were being covered, a few members of our team climbed to the top of the house and began installing the roof. The roof consisted of wooden beams which supported the metal roofing material. By the end of the second day, the roof was installed and the exterior walls were mostly complete.

The Finishing Touches

Wednesday morning, we arrived on site, and we quickly worked on finishing the house. The exterior panels were completed. The front door and windows were installed. The interior walls were covered. The electrical was installed and tested, and the trim work was completed.

Dedicating the House

This was my favorite part! After completing the house in the morning. Lydia and other ladies from her community cooked us all lunch (chicken, rice, corn tortillas, and a delicious red sauce). Our team sat down at a long makeshift table in front of the house, and we enjoyed the meal before a quick rainstorm interrupted things. When the rain died down, we all gathered in front of the house. Lydia received a Bible and a set of keys for her house. And we nailed a “Casas por Cristo” plate above her front door. After a time of sharing, we laid hands on Lydia’s house and prayed for Lydia, her new home, and her family. Listening to her pastor pray was one of the most moving experiences of the trip. He wept as he prayed aloud.

Missionaries from Casas por Cristo will head back over to Lydia’s house in a few months to see how she and the house are doing. And the pastor will continue to keep an eye on her as well.

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

A Team of Unknowns #Guatemala2017

We have all known the long loneliness, and we have found that the answer is community.

Dorothy Day

We arrived home from Guatemala very early Saturday morning. I still feel like I am in a haze. Part of me is still in Guatemala. In fact, I kind of wondering if I might be suffering from a little case of post-Guatemala depression. It’s hard to get back into the routine of life at home in the United States after such an amazing and life-changing experience in Guatemala.

One of the things that made this year so different from my previous trips to Guatemala is that we went with a multi-generational team from my church (Christ’s Church of the Valley). When we climbed on the bus last Sunday afternoon to head to the Newark airport, I only knew a few people on the bus. As the bus began it’s journey to Northern New Jersey, Leanne and I began the process of getting to know some of the people on our team for the week ahead.

By the time, we arrived back at the church early Saturday morning, it felt like we were getting off the bus with 31 family members.

There is amazing power in spending time with others for a week of service. Together we built two homes and hopefully changed the lives of two families. While we may have had an impact on these two families who received these homes, the trip had an amazing on each one of us on the team. We went from knowing very little about each other to knowing quite a bit about each other. I would go so far to say that we made life-long friends on our trip to Guatemala this year.

We went from a team of unknowns to a family.

I’m so thankful for the chance to serve with others from our church this year in Guatemala.

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47

I’m Still Here – 10 Years Later

I’m still here.

I realize it’s been a while (almost a month) since my last post. I’m not ignoring you. I’ve just had a lot going on in my life.

Drinking from a Fire Hose

I’ve officially been in my new job for one month as the Branch Solutions Operations Manager. Have you ever tried to drink water from a fire hose? Me neither. But I get the impression that it’s like being in a new job like this. Every day is non-stop. By Thursday, I’m exhausted. And by Friday, I’m definitely ready for the weekend. Despite these feelings of exhaustion, I am loving what I get to do on a daily basis. My department finished June with a record month. I’m so thankful for my team!

Dynamic Marriage

A couple of weekends ago, Leanne and I attended facilitator training for Dynamic Marriage. We will be facilitating our first class in the fall at Christ’s Church of the Valley. The weekend did so much to reaffirm our marriage and to confirm our calling to help other couples strengthen their marriages. The 9-week class we will be leading is based on Willard Harley’s book, His Needs, Her Needs: Building an Affair-Proof Marriage. If you have a great marriage, a good marriage, or a just okay marriage, this class is for you!

Rooftop Reflections

I’ve been diligently working on my next book, Rooftop Reflections: Missional Thoughts of an Ordinary Guy in an Extraordinary Place. I finished the manuscript last week, and I’m working to finalize the cover with a graphic designer. I hope to release the book this summer. The book has already received several glowing endorsements. Here is one of them:

“Jon’s stories from Guatemala will inspire, move, and motivate you to consider how you can expand your horizons and serve others more deeply. I loved this heartfelt book and know you’ll love it as well. If you’re not careful, it just might change your life!”

Kent Sanders, writer, musician, creative coach, and professor. Author of The Artist’s Suitcase (kentsanders.net)

Celebrating 10 Years of Blogging

Finally, my blog, Jon Stolpe Stretched, celebrated a significant milestone this week. 10 years ago this week, the blog started. The blog experience has STRETCHED me in more ways than I can imagine. I’ve learned a lot of incredible things through my blog, and I’ve met some unbelievable people. 10 years is a start. I look forward to the years ahead as I continue to share life’s STRETCH marks and as I hopefully STRETCH you. Thanks for joining me on this journey.

Keep Stretching!

Jon

“Did I offer peace today? Did I bring a smile to someone’s face? Did I say words of healing? Did I let go of my anger and resentment? Did I forgive? Did I love? These are the real questions. I must trust that the little bit of love that I sow now will bear many fruits, here in this world and the life to come.”

Henri Nouwen

Thanksgiving Tablecloth Tradition – Monday 2016

thanksgiving-tablecloth-tradition-1

If you are really thankful, what do you do? You share.

W. Clement Stone

Yesterday, I introduced the Thanksgiving Tablecloth Tradition. This is a tradition our family started 15 years ago, and it has helped ensure we intentionally reflect on God’s provision in our lives over the past year. To read more about the tradition, click here.

This week, I’ll be sharing the things I’ll be writing on the tablecloth this year.

On Sunday, I took time to brainstorm my gratitude using the Lighten (mind mapping) application on my iPad, so I’ll be sharing pictures of my Thank You 2016 mindmap to give you a glimpse into my world.

I’m thankful for 2 weeks in Guatemala this summer. Our family traveled to Guatemala to help build three homes and to continue ministry to widows and orphans in the village of Santo Domingo Xenacoj.

I’m thankful for Ann Flynn who joined our team this year. Besides the medical expertise and humor she brought to the trip, it was refreshing to see Xenacoj through her eyes. One of my dreams is to bring others with us when we go to Xenacoj. I want them to experience what we’ve experienced, and I want them to develop a heart for the beautiful people we serve. Ann’s participation in this year’s trip gave me hope that this will happen.

I’m thankful for safe travels, and I’m thankful for the people who helped us out on either side of our trip with transportation and pet care.

I’m thankful for the 3 houses we helped build. More importantly, I’m thankful for the opportunity to engage with the families of Dolores, Maria, and Carmen. I look forward to visiting them when we return again.

I’m thankful for Hillary. She’s visited Xenacoj several times in the past as part of medical missions trips. This was our first trip together. She added a lot to our first week in Guatemala, and I’m thankful for her medical support when Leanne fainted on the construction site the first day.

I’m thankful for my mornings in Guatemala. Each morning I had the opportunity to spend time on the roof of our residence before anyone else woke up. This was my opportunity for Rooftop Reflections – a daily video blog of my thoughts. I also did a lot of reading in the morning. I read through I and II Thessalonians and The Promise of a Pencil and Start Something That Matters. Finally, I had the opportunity in the morning to walk the streets of Xenacoj while Hannah ran on ahead. These morning walks allowed me to suck in the sites, smells, and sounds that come with each morning in this village I love.

I’m thankful for Hope Haven. This is where we helped out in their warehouse where they build wheelchairs for people all over the world. We also participated in a wheelchair basketball game. (It’s harder than you think.)

I’m thankful for Cruz Ayapan, a small village just outside of Xenacoj. This village and it’s village are clear reminders that God’s love is needed all over the world and there is still much work to be done.

I’m thankful for our widows walk with German. It was beautiful to see German’s heart as he ministered to the women in his village who are often forgotten.

I’m thankful for the opportunity to meet with Mario Aquino, the mayor of Xenacoj. This meeting provided an incredible time to discuss a vision for our involvement in the future.

I’m thankful for the generosity of so many donors who helped make this trip possible.

I’m thankful for Oreo, the dog who we adopted during our trip. He lived outside our house, and he always greeted us with his expressive tail and ears.

I’m thankful for protection from witchcraft. I don’t talk about this a lot, but there were people in the village who weren’t excited to have us there. I’m thankful we stayed safe during this experience.

I’m thankful for our wonderful translators. Not only did they help us communicate with the locals, but they became our friends.

And I’m thankful for our visit to Antigua. This is the tourist village about 40 minutes from Xenacoj. I’ll always remember the rooftop dinner with our team and the McDonalds date with Leanne while our kids shopped for souvenirs with the rest of our team.0

Stay tuned for Day Two of my Thanksgiving Tablecloth Tradition reflections.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalm 118:1

What did you experience this year that merits your gratitude? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Rooftop Reflections – Guatemala 2016 – Tuesday, July 19, 2016

rooftop-reflections-tuesday-july-19-2016

I spent two weeks in Guatemala in July. Each morning, I woke up before anyone else in our house, and I climbed up the steps to the roof of our house in Santo Domingo Xenacoj. This is where I started my day with prayer, reading, and rooftop reflections.

Each morning, I recorded a video documenting my “Rooftop Reflections.” I initially posted these on Facebook, but I realize many of my readers aren’t connected with me on Facebook. Over the next several weeks, I’ll release these videos to you here on the blog. These videos provide another glimpse into my experiences in Guatemala.

Here is the ninth installment:

https://www.facebook.com/jonstolpe/videos/10210357102994203/