Dustin. Jennalene. Lindsay.

Habitat for Humanity – Dustin Unrau

Habitat was a really good experience for me. It was a really good way to start off our time in Guatemala. The house that I helped to build had hardly anything started, so we were able to see how its done right from the start. It was good to see the progress that was made because of us in only two weeks. It was also fun getting to know our ‘albinils’ (masons). By the end of our time there, we actually developed some pretty good relationships with them. Even though there were some language barriers between us, we were able to joke around and make fun of each other a lot. Another thing that really impacted me was seeing how excited Olga (the woman we built the house for) was everyday. She would walk to the worksite everyday on her lunch break just to see how we were doing. She came from father away than we did and we took a bus, and she was four months pregnant! That just shows how much we were appreciated. All in all the whole habitat experience is something that I probably won’t forget for a very long time.

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Sweat and dirt stick to my face as I help other members of my small group move dirt into four rooms of a half finished house. The house is constructed of bricks and mortar. Freddie and Sergio stand on two planks held up by 2x4’s propped up against the wall. “Mas agua” (more water) and “martillo” (hammer) are two requests I would respond to daily. Building houses in Guatemala was a new experience. There is no use of technology. No tractors of dump trucks to move dirt. No power tools to cut wood or blocks. Many hours of hard labor is put into building this four room house. As I worked through the first week I began to examine a comparison between the slow construction on each house and how God works in our hearts. That following weekend I fell ill, causing me to miss three days of work. Much needed rest was required to gain my strength back. In between naps, it was then that I began to see work that needed to be in my life. There were many times during the first week of work that I wanted to change the way things were done. I thought if we could use new technology and do things the “North American” way, the house would be completed in a more efficient way. Like areas of my life, I wanted to fix them my way. After struggling with this sickness and other issues, I finally put everything into God’s hands. The steps to building a Guatemalan home may differ from the Canadian methods bit it works to meet the needs of each family. My was of fixing my heart is different than God’s plans but ultimately it is His ways that are best. Understanding how each house is built has given me a small glimpse into the needs and daily life of the beautiful Guatemalan people. With a mended heart, God has constructed new eyes to see how I can help serve and meet these people’s needs. “For My Thoughts Are Not Your Thoughts, Neither Are Your Ways My Ways” (Isaiah 55:8-11) - Jennalene Brink

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A San Juan Experience – Linsday Schellenburg

As we left Habitat for Humanity and drove towards our new home, I was really excited to be living with a Guatemalan family. No nervousness took over my mind as I had experienced living in a home where I had never met the family ahead of time. But the language barrier definitely had an effect on how I would communicate with my family. As the leaders read our names one by one, we would go off by ourselves to start the next portion of our Guatemala experience. I was one of the last ones to be called (the joy of having a last name that starts with ‘S’). I got to see mostly everyone venture off with packs & bags in their hands. It was definitely an experience I will never forget. On the walk home, there was not a word spoken except for “no entiendo mucho espanol” on my part (which means, I don’t understand much Spanish). The father of my family just laughed laughed on walked on. As I got the house the family welcomed me with open arms! I am & was so thrilled that they were so welcoming and kind to someone who they had never met. Spanish classes started the next morning. We each had an interview, one on one with an instructor from the school to see how well we spoke. We were put into classes and started learning Spanish. I must say, learning a new language is so hard. My mind always tends to go back to English & then it just doesn’t make any sense! But I have grown to love the language and want to be good at speaking it. I’m loving the culture and the people, they have so good to us. Muchos gracias.

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