The lessons from Children!

Reid and Luicito, became friends

Luicito is all smiles

One of the biggest highlights in Guatemala this year for our family, has been spending time at the orphanage in San Andres. This wasn't something we had initially planned on, but of course God opened up some unique opportunities that allowed us to spend time with these beautiful children.

We've been lucky to have my sister-in-law, Katlyn, with us most of the trip. She is a nearly graduated physical therapy student and has been eager to work with as many kids as she can during her 6 weeks with us. It came to our attention that there were several kids at the orphanage, Hogar De Vida, in San Andres that would benefit from her services. Katlyn was excited by the challenge and willing to help, so we spent about 1-2 days a week in San Andres as she worked regularly with 4 of their children.

Katlyn working with Jose

San Andres is a city is about 30 minutes to the west of Canilla. Hogar De Vida is an orphanage that is also significant because this is where the Fickers' got their start in Guatemala 15 years ago. When God called them to Guatemala, they first went to Hogar De Vida in San Andres to work as house parents in this orphanage. The Fickers and their 6 kids, were quickly immersed in the Guatemalan language and culture while spending countless hours playing with and caring for these precious children.

Kiera climbing the ladder

Hogar De Vida is home to about 20 kids. Their ages range from infant to 17. All of them have tragic stories of how they lost their parents, or how their parents couldn't care for them and have dropped them off at the orphanage. Thankfully, through all of their tragedy, they still have huge smiles, and a willingness to befriend, and love new people.  The orphanage itself is filled with color and life. The moment you walk past the large yellow wall and gate, you can since the presence of God in this place. There is a huge, colorful, playground built by loving hands that fills the center courtyard. There are big, beautiful, flowers that are interwoven throughout the property. It is surprising to me that with 20 busy kids running around, there is a certain peace and tranquility that fills this property.

Beau is playing with the boys

As Katlyn worked diligently giving therapy to several of these children, the kids and I spent hours just playing with the others. It was fun to see how our kids transformed during this time. At first, they were very anxious to play with kids with whom they couldn't speak the same language. Fortunately, as the time lapsed they warmed to the idea, and not only enjoyed running around together, but actually started having fun learning and saying Spanish words. It was fun to see how relatively quickly kids can adapt, and look past what seems to be insurmountable boundaries of language and culture, and just have fun playing. Kids have the gift of loving and accepting easily without stipulation. This is something we as adults so desperately can learn from.

Gracie and Oscar playing together

As I sit here writing the day after Beau's 7th birthday, I can't help but feel such a myriad of emotions. Our time with our kids is so precious, and it goes so fast. It felt like only yesterday I held Beau in my arms for the first time. Just like the blink of an eye he is 7 years old. This time with my kids, and with the children from the orphanage continued to impress on me the value of our children. Whether they are our own, or someone else's. Children need to be our priority. Children always had a special place in the heart of Jesus. He showed by example that there was never an adult meeting or business that should take the place of quality time with children.

Beau wanted to hike on his birthday!

I often lament about times Shea and I have been distant with our own kids. Often we are present in body, but our minds and hearts are distracted by what we perceive as more "important things". Often these other "good things" take the place of some of the best things, which is quality times with our children. In 20 years, I'll never wish I saw more patients, had more meetings, wrote more emails, or did more laundry, but I know I'll wish I spent more time really being "present" with my children (and not just handing them this Ipad).  Our children are important and I am grateful that the focus of this hospital project is to take care of the children in these mountains. We do not wish to just take care of their physical bodies but we want the children we take care of, and our own children to know Jesus Christ. That will be our constant prayer.

The importance of children was emphasized by Jesus in the book of Matthew.

The kids enjoying Ice cream on Beau's Birthday

In Matthew 18: 3-5 He says:
"I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me."

Shea and the kids watching as Aunt Katlyn leaves on a plane

Christ again teaches the disciples the importance of the children in In Matthew 19: 13-14:

Then the children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those brought them. Jesus said "let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." 

One body many parts!

Working with my new friend Dr Luis Aquino in San Andres

The last week has continued to fly by here in Guatemala. Our days our filled with homeschooling the kids, keeping the continuous dirt off their clothes clean, Spanish lessons of our own, assisting with the local and village clinics, and helping a little with some of the construction.

It has been fun to see the construction site almost daily. We have been watching as the landscape continues to change. When we first arrived we only had freshly excavated hospital ground, with no dug out footings. We have since seen hundreds of bags of concrete, sand, water, and rock mixed and poured into the ground in the form of footings and stem walls. The footings are nearly half way dug out, and poured. The stem walls continue to go up regularly as the Guatemalan crew, with the help of the Fickers, is learning how to use concrete forms for the first time. The Guatemalan crew continues to work diligently twisting re-bar into the structures that will tie together and strengthen our walls and foundation. This collaboration of materials will make it possible for this building to withstand the traffic of thousands of footsteps over the years, as well as the instant power of an earthquake. The progress is exciting and encouraging and another example of God's continued faithfulness.

Gracie is "all smiles" outside our apartment in Chichi

Recently, my family and I were able to spend a week in Chichicastenango(Chichi for short), working with an American trained general surgeon named Tom Hoak (I wrote about him in my blog last year). As always, Shea and I enjoyed taking a road trip. It was great to head out on the long winding, primarily dirt, mountain roads of Guatemala. It again, allowed us to see the beautiful country up close, and gave us an opportunity to practice the Spanish we keep working so hard to learn. The biggest challenge isn't the 4-wheeled drive worthy roads, but trying to navigate through the cities of Quiche and Chichi with a long pickup truck. The roads in the city are very narrow, poorly marked, filled with people, and I too often found myself backing up for long stretches after realizing I had went the wrong way down a one way street. It gave me great appreciation for the countless trips the Fickers have taken through these cities with Mac trucks and tractor trailers over the years.

Picture of the Chichi market

Our trip to Chichi was great. We were able to spend a lot of time with Dr Hoak, not only learning more surgery and medicine, but trying to absorb as much as we can on how a Guatemalan hospital should be set up and run. As I see the construction site continues to progress, I realize how soon we are actually going to have a hospital to equip, staff, and organize. The realization, gives me more questions than answers. Many of these questions will have to be answered by the Lord in time, but Dr Hoak no doubt provided valuable insight to many of the things we continue to process on this journey. Thankfully, throughout our week-long journey the kids stayed healthy and safe, and we once again enjoyed exploring the famous Chichi market, and trying an array of local cuisine (at least no one got too sick)

The last 6 weeks have provided me many valuable insights. The most valuable has been watching God's people with their individual gifts and talents work together for the glory of His Kingdom. Over the last 6 weeks we have had people from all different backgrounds with a multitude of skills working together with beautiful orchestration. We have had farmers, floor layers, mechanics, nurses, physicians, pilots, cooks, musicians, teacher, childcare workers, and a many other talented people  work together for the common purpose of His Glory. I have to admit there are times I've watched in envy over someone else's craft and wished I had that skill. I've wished I could fly a plane, fix a truck, drive a skid loader, weld a piece of metal, or even prepare a delicious meal to feed 40 people(ok maybe not that one). To my chagrin, many of those are talents I'll never have. I constantly remember that God has given all of us different skills for a reason. The beauty of Christ's Church is that when we use our individual gifts in unison as intended, not only are we truly content as individuals, but corporately amazing things can be accomplished for His glory. I've also been reminded during this time, that its easy to focus on the end product, or goal of having a finished well functioning hospital. The reality is, the journey is the destination. Watching people work together at what they are designed for while serving Him is the ultimate goal. That is why we build this hospital.

Paul says it well in 1 Corinthians 12:14-26:

Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body", it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body", it would not  for that reason cease to be apart of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arrange the part of the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body...

The Right Foundation!

Our first official hospital sign.

January 26th 2015, will go down as one of the more significant days during this journey to build a hospital in Canilla, Guatemala. To many it may seem insignificant. It was a typical warm, dry, slightly breezy Guatemalan day. A group of nearly 100 people gathered under a large makeshift tent, that was strewn together with several semi-truck tarps supported by random pieces of wood, chain and rope. At our feet was a mixture of construction site dirt and loads of scattered pine needles(as is common during a Guatemalan celebration).  We had 15 chickens cooking in a large Guatemalan pot surrounded by rice and sauce, and hundreds of corn tortillas staying hot under blankets. On the outside, this looked like a typical Guatemalan celebration, but what was happening was actually so much more significant for several reasons.

First, this was a chance to gather together with community and village leaders to not only celebrate the construction, but to ask for help as this hospital is constructed and operates to serve their people. We felt it was a critical step for hundreds if not thousands of villages and communities in and around these mountains to have a sense of ownership and pride in this hospital. It was important for the local leaders to know this is not just a "North American" hospital, but this hospital exists to serve the most impoverished people in this seemingly "forgotten" mountain region of Guatemala. Through words spoken from the front and conversations had throughout the day, I believe this goal was accomplished exceedingly well.

I was able to speak with the help of a translator

Most importantly, this day was about dedicating this property, this project, the workers, and future patients to the Lord. Several of us spoke, of those, several of whom were leaders from various regions in the mountains. Everyone who spoke gave honor to the Lord as the source for this project's success. It was clear by all who were in attendance that the making of this hospital is a miraculous undertaking with the primary purpose of glorifying our Lord.

The event was concluded with simple, yet powerful, symbolism. At the Northeast corner of the hospital, which is the site of the future hospital prayer room/chapel, several symbolic elements where placed in a hole, underneath what will be the foundation. Initially, Duane and Leslie Ficker placed a bible in this hole, representing the word of God being the foundation of this hospital. After that, several of Ficker families took turns pouring or sprinkling other symbolic elements into the same place. The other elements included: oil (representing the Holy Spirit's anointing power), wine (representing the blood of Jesus), salt (representing we as Christians need to be the salt
of the word), and flour (representing our Provider).

The Fickers with the symbolic shovel

Duane and Leslie with the bible that will be under the chapel.

Burying five random objects under the future floor of one room is really just a meaningless human activity, which will only practically act to attract more bugs to the place where they lay. What gives this otherwise silly human tradition actual power is the truth of Jesus Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. In fact, if he was not actually tortured, humiliated, and killed, and then conquered death by getting out of the grave, then we were just a group of people standing on top of dirt and pine needles wasting our time. Thankfully, I know He did get out of that grave, and He did conquer death, and is now our cornerstone. So the act of this dedication was not in vein, but was the first step in building our foundation on what will not decay, but will stand for eternity.

Paul says it well in Ephesians 2:19-22:

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people, and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles, prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by the Spirit.

Kiera is loving her first bag of cheetos!

Cleaning Sand!

Kiera found a puppy and I don't think she plans on giving it back!

Well, we have already been hear nearly 2 weeks. Aside from our family being plagued by a nice stomach bug, our time here has been good. We are enjoying more focused family time, reconnecting with the Ficker family, keeping busy in the clinics, and even trying to squeeze in some time for Spanish lessons. Although, I'd have to say one of the highlights for me thus far is the few days I've been able to break away to help with some of the construction. Its been great being around the Ficker men while absorbing their years of construction experience as we see this once unassuming, dusty, Guatemalan cow pasture slowly transform into a legitimate hospital property. Its been an honor to dig in the footing trenches alongside the Guatemalan workers, tape and chalk the property, and even help with the first concrete pour.

As I stand in the middle of what will be the hospital, diesel smoke and dust fills my nostrils, and hot dry sand covers my skin. I can see a strong, sturdy fence completely around the perimeter. I can see two new structures for housing missionaries and volunteers(and some day hospital workers) that is almost complete. In front of me, I see large piles of river sand(over 350 dump truck loads). Next to the sand, there is an ever growing pile of recently crushed rocks, and a newly started pile of cleaned sand. At my feet, I stand on at least 2-3 feet of flattened fill, as much of the river sand has been used to raise the hospital property site and has now been smoothly excavated. Behind me, I turn to see large trenches that have been dug for footings, and I step carefully as most of the property has been taped off with fishing wire and chalked were we will continue to dig footings.

The grain auger spitting out clean sand.

These are exciting times to be here in Canilla. God has done so much through such a myriad of people it continues to astonish me. As I said, I really have no construction experience, but I have thoroughly enjoyed learning. One thing I found interesting was the importance of clean sand. Now to me, the word clean sand really feels like an oxymoron. Although, I've learned having clean sand is of the utmost importance to making strong, long lasting, and durable concrete. Over the last week the Fickers alongside Ryan Korporal have worked tirelessly trying to develop a system to clean sand, so we can have a strong concrete foundation. As I've often seen done in medicine in the developing world, one has to be willing to be flexible as often the most appropriate tool is unavailable for use. I've seen these men do the same as they have to make less then ideal equipment "work" to get the job done. They initially were able to wash 2-3 truck loads of sand by reverse engineering an old grain auger.  When the bearings wore out on the auger they then used the cement mixer to thoroughly wash and prepare clean sand. Their hard work has paid off as we now have an ever growing pile of clean sand and the first batch of concrete was excellent quality, and will help form a strong foundation.

The first row of footings and re-bar.

As I've watch the sand cleaning project unfold I can't help think of the comparisons to our own spiritual lives. We as humans are all unclean and filled with sin. We have no way to cleanse ourselves, and without being cleansed none of us our worthy to stand before our creator, a Holy God. Fortunately, God has given us the solution. In some ways on the outside, the re-engineered grain auger, and adapted cement mixer are more impressive then the solution that was given to us by God. On the outside we were given a simple Jewish carpenter, who was in no way physically appealing. Thankfully, this Jewish carpenter was sent from Heaven and was both God and man. Through his death and blood we are cleansed from our sin, and only He can restore us to a Holy God. The idea of getting to serve a mighty God who gave His son for me is more then enough to motivate me to live for Him.  John says it well in 1 John 1:7-9:

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness

Guatemala Awaits!

Once again, we are about to embark on another journey south. As Shea and I prepare our last few bags, and make our last Walmart run, we're excited to see what God has planned for our young family over the coming months. We are excited to be a part of this hospital building project in Canilla, Guatemala. Even though we have yet to erect a wall, and the construction is still in early stages, God has already answered so many prayers and taught us many things in this short yet memorable journey.

Right now my head is spinning as I sit here with a hot cup of coffee on this cold crisp snow-filled morning. As I anxiously think about all the things that "need" to be done before we leave and all the things that "need" to be accomplished in Canilla during the next several months its often easy for me to miss the reason we are doing this at all.

So what is the reason? Why do we travel several thousand miles with 4 small kids to help build something that will eventually crumble and decay? The reason is simple. I want myself, my family, and those we come in contact with on this journey to have an insatiable desire know and love God. I want this knowledge and love for him to be where my joy and the joy of others comes from.

Knowing and loving God is crucially important for living our lives. J.I. Packer in his book Knowing God gives a great word picture of what it is like living in a world where we don't know or understand our creator. He says "As it would be cruel to an Amazonian tribesman to fly him to London, put him down without explanation in Trafalgar Square and leave him, as one who knew nothing of English or England, to fend for himself, so we are cruel to ourselves if we try to live in this world without knowing about the God whose world it is and who runs it"

Without this ever increasing knowledge and love of our Lord this life is incredibly disappointing, and difficult. Without the perspective of our Creator this world will seem cruel, painful, and unjust. We will be destined to stumble and stagger through life as if we were wearing a blindfold on a hike through a desert mountain filled with cactus and stones.

So my prayer for myself and anyone reading this is that we will dive into this New Year with a desire to have a greater knowledge and love of our creator. Not only that we would have this desire, but we would put forth the effort to take the next step in a relationship with him as we discipline ourselves to prayer and study of Him through His Holy Word.

King David says it well in Psalms 119:14-16 "I rejoice in following your statues as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your ways"