WORK DAY #2

At 6:45, reality set in once again: we're really here in Guatemala...and we're here to work. After devotions led by Alicia Hubers, Sam Kuiper and Megan Wetselaar, we ate breakfast consisting of various fruits and cereals. Before long it was time to get to work.

One group finished up the concrete rain and erosion barrier as they had only completed half of it yesterday.

After that was finished, the group trekked up to the top of the hill by the roadside to assist another group from California with the construction of a fence. The prep work involved pick-axing, digging, shovelling a lot of dirt, and prepping for where the next fence posts would be installed. One of the biggest tasks involved cutting down a tree that was entangled near some power lines. Some very careful cutting allowed the tree to be free and clear of the wires, and much digging and hacking exposed the trunk of the tree, after which Tony, the Casa Bernabe maintenance man, arrived with the chainsaw. 2 minutes later, it toppled down the hill. Success!

One major task was the garden. At 8:00 a.m., the garden group harvested a whole bunch of cabbage, which were some of the biggest we've ever seen! But after harvesting, the cabbages needed to be hauled up to the kitchen storage bodega. Heavy poundage, 6000 ft. elevation, and about 100 steps left us all huffing and puffing by the time we reached the top. Back down the team went. Tony's vision for the garden involves continuing to build on what has already been done. Adding new terrace levels was the chore for today, which meant the garden group had to dig top soil, put it in the wheelbarrow, and haul it over to build up the new terrace levels. Very tedious but honest work, which also went into the afternoon, testing the endurance of some of the students. At one point, Holly Huizenga made the valiant effort to bring a wheelbarrow full, but lost it by the carrot patch! The heavy work also led to one of the funniest moments caught on video, which I hope to post at the end here!

Continuing child-care, and helping get orphaned infants and toddlers up, cleaned, bathed and dressed, as well as cared for and baby-sat through the day added to the job tasks of some of the students.

The day ended with a presentation by some of the residents here at Casa Bernabe of Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, followed by his betrayal. We met by the edge of some woods to watch this play...what an amazing effort that continues to be put forth to portray to all the children -- and to us -- the significant events of the last week in Jesus' earthly life.

Supper, devotions, and some down-time before bed-time brought an end to another day. Tomorrow's another workday, and then on Thursday we will have a day away in Guatemala City! thanks for your continued support, prayers, and encouragement.

Oh, and here's that video - it's on youtube, but you can look at it by clicking on this link HERE