Epperly Adventures: 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.