Greeting in the name of the Lord from Guatemala.  Today is our last day and the group, although smaller than some, worked hard, completed all we had hoped to and more, and today is a day of rest and recovery.

We had originally planned to complete 12 houses on this trip but at the request of Tico a team was put together early Tuesday morning to build a house for a young, new christian, family that had a desperate need.  The tiny patch of dirt that he had inherited was even too small for the usual design so slight modifications had to be made on the fly but by lunch the crew gathered for a dedication.  Marvin, along with his family fought back the tears as he was handed the keys to his Casa.  Tico arrived a little later and was teased to be mindful of Marvin as he was now a full fledged “home owner.  What a joy it was to hear all the praises and glory go to the Lord for his provision to this young family.

Yesterday several of us also went to Casa to visit the children and deliver some gifts send down.  Although all the “officials” were gone the staff was gracious in allowing us time with the kids.  The school for the children at Casa is right there on the grounds and the Principle allowed eight year old Rosie, whom Gloria and I support, to leave her class for a about an hour to visit with us and meet her American family.  Even the language barrier could not stop the love from passing through as we hugged and held her hand as she walked us around to show us her home.  God is taking good care of these little ones and we thank Him and praise Him for the short time we had.  It is amazing to see how even the very small toddlers there have learned how to entice you to pick them up and hold them and then how to keep you from putting them down.  Mike and Dottie have done wonderful work providing for these children but with over 400 there, they are all hungry for a personal touch and some love and affection.  Most of the group left small parts of their hearts behind as we pulled away and headed back to the work sites.

It’s an early day tomorrow as we leave for the airport around 3:30am.  Thank you all for your continued prayers and we look forward to seeing you this Sunday.  Until then, may we all continue to rest in the Lord for all that lays ahead.

Jerry Whitmore