FBC Fayette, AL Mission Team: Oct 18-25

What a time we had in Guatemala this past week! One might say “there was never a dull moment.” Obstacles at every turn, knee deep mud, steep terrain, rain, flooding, moving large river rocks, and many, many yards of gravel, sand and concrete. Thank you for your prayers, I think each and every one was used at some time during the week.

Allow me to introduce you to a very special group of guys.
Harrell Trice, third from the right, mission concierge and Team Leader put together a great group of guys once again.

To my left is Bruce Myers, professional builder/ do anything guy, and a pick pocket artist, Joshua Redd, professional wood carver and Biblical expositor, Jim Trull, professional prayer warrior and encourager, Orie Knowlton, (tall one) professional insurance man and sand sifter, Tommy Gordon, professional Air Conditioning / Refrigeration man and part time preacher, Trah Anderson, my cousin, a professional government military recruiter and coconut smuggler, and Roger Shaw, professional plumber, large rock thrower and recipient of the hardest workers award.
Arriving at Catarina, Monday morning, this is what the job site looked like.

Mondays always take a while to get things situated, laid out and set up. The pastor, his niece, two sons and two other church members were already working on digging the foundation. It was a muddy mess and large rocks had to be removed to allow for the foundation’s depth. After it was deep and wide enough, we placed steel grates and 25’ steel towers in position. Then, we got to put all the rocks, plus some, back into the ditch for strength and support.
After lunch, we set the concrete mixer up by manhandling the steel beast down the steep embankment. Sand, rock and concrete were being moved by a backhoe, only kidding, but we did have three wheelbarrows. Soon we were ready to pour the four corners of the foundation.
Everything was difficult because of the mud and the steep terrain. Five gallon buckets full of sand and rock are hard to handle and the elements added to the difficulty. By 5pm we had this finished and felt good about our first day of work. Monday was the first day in 3 weeks it had not rained and we were thankful for that. The foundation was nearly ready for concrete.
Well…..it looked like progress at the time.

This area had never received any outside help before. We found the people to be very gracious and humble and it was an honor to serve with them. They took pride in their work and were grateful for the help. We explained that we were just there to serve out of our love for Christ and our fellowman. They rewarded us with a large bag of tangerines and sugar cane they had gathered.

Tuesday things ran very smooth. The team had begun to gel and everyone knew what they had to do. This kind of project always requires alot of teamwork. To help overcome the mud and terrain we formed lines to move the large rocks and buckets of concrete. We had mixed and poured the entire footing by 4pm, when the pastor ask if we might help move some more rocks from the river. I knew that I was worn out and from the look on the faces of the others I could see they were also. Finding out we could buy a load of river rocks and have them delivered for $70.00 we opted for that and all chipped in.
A short nap was welcomed after a sandwich for lunch.
Wednesday seemed to be hurry up and wait day but we finished all of the concrete work just in the nick of time. The rain came hard and fast. We gathered the tools and ran for cover. The tiny church had a few leaks but it provided us shelter as we tried to wait out the rain. The road quickly looked like a raging river and soon we had to leave because the water was rising rapidly.
Ely pulls the truck up saying “let’s go, the water is coming over the bridge!” I shot this picture just before we made our mad dash to the truck.
We were riding in the back, but of course, we ran anyway.
Edson holds to the truck so not to be washed down the road.
Thursday the rain was gone and it was a new day. Unfortunately, it would be our last at Catarina. Finally we were laying block and had lots of help mixing and hauling the cement.
By noon we had finished our work, so Trah and Tommy handed out gifts to the children in the village.
The team enjoyed another beautiful sunset at the beach. All in all it had been a very successful week.
Freddy, a 13 yr old boy, who we had the opportunity to lead to the Lord one day at lunch, has a strong desire to be a man and tried his best to show us that he can work like one. He can’t read or write, and doesn’t own a pair of shoes, but his new hope in Christ has put a smile on his face.
Harrell made a new friend and this little girl stuck with him like glue.
I just wanted to make sure that all of you got to meet Jim Trull. A few years back Jim sustained nearly debilitating injuries from a traffic accident. When I met Jim, in the Houston airport, I wondered how he’d make it on such a trip as this, but he became our on- site prayer warrior and God used him greatly through the week to encourage all of us.
As always, the last day is bitter sweet. Physically we were tired, and ready for our own bed, a hot shower and a chair to sit down in. Emotionally, it is impossible not to leave a piece of your own heart with the people.

Safe and partially sound, we’ve returned home now to the comforts of our lives. It’s hard not to let your mind drift back to the memories of last week, and the lives that were touched through the kindness, generosity and hard work of a few men from AL.
Leaving their loved ones, and the comforts of home behind, these guys chose once again to give of their time, talents and resources to go where all others shy away from and to bless a forgotten people in the town of Catarina. Thanks again guys for all you did and continue to do for these poor people.

I pray this letter has found you well and prosperous. Thank you all for your love and support.

To God be the glory for great things he has done,
Lewis and Donna
For what shall a man be profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and forfeit his life? or what shall a man give in exchange for his life? Matthew 16:26