Remembering what God has done!

Shea and Kiera standing on finished concrete

Finishing the concrete with the sun going down.

This week, we have successfully finished one of the most technically difficult cement pours on the hospital project to date. It took a lot of hands, and weeks of planning and preparing. Thankfully, after many hours of work, 3,600 sq. ft. on the second story over the operating rooms has been successfully poured. The project started at 2 am and wasn't complete until nearly midnight. It took 7 separate cement loads, 86,000 lbs of sand, 86,000 lbs of rock, 30,000 lbs of concrete, and 20 men, to finish this difficult, but rewarding project. It was awesome to see this wonderful team in action. After having been apart of this monumental pour, it has given me a great opportunity to look back, and see all the ways God has answered prayers over the last 3 years in Canilla, Guatemala.

The book of Joshua does a great job of encouraging a step of faith with the power of our Lord behind us. As the Israelites prepared to take the promised land, God tells Joshua in chapter 1:9: "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go" I can think of dozens of men and women who have taken this verse to heart as they have plunged head first, into obedience to whatever God has asked of them on this Guatemalan project. I also know that many more steps of faith, and many known and unknown challenges lay in our future.

Ryan and I several pours into the job.

Duane and I after the final pour.

As you go on reading in Joshua (specifically chapter 4), God gives the Israelite's many unbelievable victories. One of the most notable being the parting of the Jordan river. In the midst of the miraculous, He wanted to make sure the Israelites did not forget one of the most important things. That is, To Remember. After parting the Jordan river, God asks the Israelites to stop and build a memorial in the middle of the river, where they had crossed. The men of Israel obediently took 12 large stones(boulders) and built a memorial as a remembrance of what God had done in that place.

Filling up the cement truck with rocks and sand.

I think, we as Christians, often forget to really dwell on the miraculous things God has done in our lives. We quickly move on to the next challenge, while wringing our hands, and wondering how God will help us through the next obstacle. To finish this blog, I thought it appropriate, to list all the ways I have seen God answer prayers over the last 3 years on this hospital project in Guatemala. This list is in no particular order of importance, and by know means exhaustive. For my family and I, it is important to spend time remembering what God has done.

Gods answered prayers:
1. A perfect piece of land for hospital use in an area where flat land is not easy to find, with room to expand(8.1 acres)
2. Enough donated finances for raw materials, labor, land, and equipment.( Nealy $ 700,000 has been given directly, and many other materials given specifically...always  right when we needed it)
3. Having 3 separate groups(AIM, PAPA, and DOCS) come together and work well together for the Glory of God.
4. A badly needed rock crusher and conveyor
5. A cement truck(nearly junked in the US, but now has provided 100's of cement pours in Canilla)
6. A deep full well with a well pump
7. A transformer and backup generator
8. Dependable Guatemalan crew that works hard and is always smiling.
9. A great Guatemalan licensed physician who loves the Lord, and the Guatemalan people
10. We have numerous examples of favor with the government on a multitude of issues.
11. A nursing school's simultaneous development and excellent progress
12. Two 40 foot containers of medical equipment delivered from a remodeled hospital in Texas, and several more on their way)
13. A multitude of people from all over the world, with unique skills and a desire to serve Him.
14. God is good!

The cement going up to fill the wheelbarrows.

Quickly moving the cement

Beau and Reids favorite thing to ride

Grace and Kiera riding with Ryan

The Beauty of Guatemala!

The girls eating soup with the sun setting.

Sometimes seeing God's love can be difficult. Life has a way of beating us down with difficulties, or lulling us to sleep with its predictable norms. Either way, we often fail to see and appreciate the depth of God's love. If we look close all of us can see his love, and feel his arms around us.

I've been able to take a step back the last month and see His creation through the beauty of nature. I see Him in those we serve with on a daily basis.  I see Him in the Guatemalan children, with their bright eyes and big smiles full of hope for the future. I see Him in the newborn infant who is crying in his mothers arms. I see Him in the many ways that this project has brought together the body of Christ! All of this just scratches the surface on the love God has for us. In Ephesians 3:17-19 it says:

"And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge that you may be filled to the measure of the fullness of God."

Heres some pictures showing the beauty that is in Guatemala!



The boys overlooking the valley on a hike.

An array of colored chickens...kids were sold.

spice rack at the market

banana trees by the side of the road

Vegetable isle at the market

Shea carrying Kiera around the river

Beau doing some hiking

Reid looking over a ravine

Great progress at Hospital Adonai!

A panoramic view of the front of the hospital.

Road Sign

Closer view of the front

 A common theme for most people that have written over the last month is: "How does the hospital look? So instead of trying to describe it, I thought I would just give some pictures. It's easier to show how much progress has been made. It really is astonishing what has been accomplished in such a resource limited area.

The progress that has been made really reminds me of a passage in the book of Titus 2:12-13. To paraphrase the words of apostle Paul it says: "Live......while we wait for the blessed hope"
I find this contrast so interesting, because living and waiting are
essential to having Christian sanity in this present age. God has
not just asked us to sit and wait for His return, but actively use our gifts to build His Kingdom while we remain on this earth. This hospital is a perfect example of men and women living well on this earth, and using the gifts God has given them to create something that will serve the least of these, and Glorify the Lord. This world may not be our home, but we can live here well, and excitedly wait for eternal life when Christ returns!

Panoramic from the back of the hospital

Shea and Kiera standing in the courtyard, outside the outpatient department.

Framing in the outpatient department.

The stained concrete in the outpatient department

A view inside the middle courtyard.

Beau on top of the operating room....flooring to be poured soon.

Shea and Kiera inside the chapel.

Hallway- standing in front of the OR, looking toward OB and peds wards

The soon to be emergency room.

The way to the OR's, being supported to pour concrete ceiling.

The beautiful feet of children!

A small child's footprint nestled between my feet.

Every Tuesday, we drive about 45-60 minutes up a winding, dirt, 4-wheel drive requiring, road to take medical care to the people of Chiminisijuan. Leslie Ficker and her team have faithfully been bringing medical care to the people of this region for over 10 years. This last Tuesday was no different, except for the fact we had some vehicle malfunction. The motor in our vehicle would only allow us to putter along at 2-4 mph. After about 1 1/2 hours of this, we made the decision to get out and walk the rest of the way. The hike is beautiful, as we are nestled high in the mountains surrounded by picturesque views.

A family and their pet waiting outside of clinic

A family waiting to be seen.

A girl patiently waiting for instructions

During our hike, I couldn't help but notice all the footprints, from the well worn trail we followed. What really caught my attention was the multitude of tiny footprints. As you can see from my picture above, there were scores of these little footprints from children who were walking to receive medical care. In some cases, these children and their families had to walk many miles to receive basic medical care. As I walked to the clinic, and even while seeing patients I couldn't help but ask "Why?" Why were these children born into such poverty? Why do they often go without food, proper nutrition, and basic medical care? Why do they go without education, and why do most not have fathers to help raise them? The other question that burdened me is: why do my own children have opportunity for all those things? Sometimes, it feels like life is simply a cruel, random, roll of the dice. Either you have opportunity or you do not. The indigenous children of these mountain villages have to face the stress of survival daily. Where often the greatest stress to my own children and their friends is "how much time do I get on the ipad today?"

I think a natural response for all of us, in the face of these questions, is anger, guilt, and/or confusion. I'm happy to say that these are the wrong responses. Our response really should be overwhelming gratefulness. This gratefulness should give birth to an abundance of generosity of our time, talent, and/or treasure. Although, I know, for some money is scarce. Thankfully, most of us have either time or abilities that can be used to bless others, while sharing the Gospel of Christ. I don't know why God allows some to have, and some to have not. What I know is that He has given His Son to all, for forgiveness of sins. This gift of eternal life, through Jesus, is absolutely free and knows no socioeconomic, racial, or national divide.

Beau found this weird looking green caterpillar 

I'm grateful that my children are fed, clothed, and educated. Although, as I sit here today, my biggest prayer is that my children will have beautiful feet. Paul says in Romans 10:15: As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those that bring the good news." The good news of which Paul speaks is that God sent his son Jesus to save the world. Through his death, burial, and resurrection, we all have the opportunity to not only have eternal life with Him, but a relationship with Him on this earth. Whether or not we have an abundance of material blessings, our families can have beautiful feet by bringing this free gift to all those whom God has put in our lives.

Gracie loves climbing trees.

The kids enjoy playing on the rock pile.

The kids hiked ahead to scare us.

I found Reid resting his feet

Life in Guatemala!

Kids playing on their favorite swing set

It's been good to be back in saddle, as we have settled into the familiar, warm, dry Guatemalan landscape. Once again, my kids and their clothes are covered in at least a half inch of dirt every night, as playing outside has become a routine. One of their favorite places to play has been the hospital construction site. The hospital has been completely transformed since we were last here and now provides an excellent place for them to play a variety of games (assuming they dodge the scattered power tools and equipment). What God has done in the this place over the last year is no minor miracle. A handful of people have simply stepped out and said yes in obedience to what God has asked of them. Now, this 22,000 sq. ft. monster of a structure is nearing initial completion. Not only that, but the obedience of a few has propelled and cascaded other faithful followers to step forward and serve in their own specific areas of gifting.

The girls are helping Papa build...learning from the best.

We continue to see more examples of this faith in action over the last several weeks. We can see it on the construction site, where one can simply walk around and see dozens of essential pieces of equipment and tools that have all been sent here from someone who took a leap of faith. We also see what was once a quite small missionary community transformed into a rather large, bustling group of short term, intermediate, and long term missionaries. All of these people are here using skills or training to bless others in this once forgotten part of Guatemala for Glory of God.

Papa is keeping a close eye on that one.

Personally, we have been fortunate to spend time, and serve alongside some of our family much of the first two weeks of our stay. My father-in-law Tony, his friend Bill, my sister-in-law Katlyn, and brother-in-law Matt have been with us in Canilla the last 8 days.

Bill getting into the plane

Tony and Bill, both of whom make construction part of their living have thoroughly enjoyed seeing the progress on the Hospital. They have been impressed and excited to see what has been accomplished here with such little resources. Their expertise and assistance has also been greatly appreciated as they have quickly been put to work designing and building future hospital cabinets and trying to figure out how to design 40-50 doors as efficiently and economically as possible. Their unique skill sets has been a blessing as the construction continues.

Chase hanging out in clinic with Micaela

Matt and Katlyn's Dental/PT room

On the medical side, Katlyn and Matt have been a huge addition over the last week. Matt works as a dentist, while Katlyn does physical therapy. Katlyn is a return visitor and was excited to see that several of her patients had improved since her last visit. She enjoys working with pregnant mothers with muscular pain and children who have struggled with developmental delay. There was no shortage of either. It was great to see that many of her previous patients showed increased ability since her last visit. Matt was especially popular, as having a skilled, and caring dentist is quite a commodity in this part of the country. We purposefully kept from announcing his arrival prior to each clinic day for fear of being overrun by desperate patients. His makeshift dental room in a bag provided an excellent way to protect salvageable teeth through fillings, and pull those that teeth that were overrun with cavities. These two gladly served the people in the area, all while caring for their 5 month old, Chase. Chase, quickly became quite flexible at these clinics. Whether he was in Katlyn's holder, our translator's arm, or in his makeshift cribs, he was always quite a trooper.




As I stated above, I continue to be amazed at peoples' willingness to step out in faith on this project. Everyone, who has been apart of this project, has in some way has been willing to give up what may have been easier or more comfortable to serve the Lord. They have served "the least of these". Putting faith into action is of the utmost importance as we grow in our walk with the Lord. Whether "stepping out in faith" on a project like this or being obedient in another area of your life where God has called, all are necessary as we grow in a relationship with Him. James says it best in James chapter 2, specifically in verse 18: Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.



Matt doing wonders out of a suitcase.

6 beds Bill and Tony made









Papa Tony ready for take-off



A couple of new pets we found at the market.