Monday May 15th, 2011, Day 2

Today was a busy day that consisted of culture shock, construction, and Christ. We started out eating black beans and drinking warm milk that the local seminary provided for us, which is not our usual breakfast back home, but we were thankful. After breakfast we started our eye opening day and headed to the dump around 9 o'clock to survey and prep ourselves for what laid ahead of us.

You may have heard people or Dr. Tom from Lakewood talk about the dump after coming back from this trip, but until you are here your idea of the dump may not even be close. One of our crew member said today "whatever you think about abject poverty...it's worse than that", which is a pretty accurate description of the kind of environment God had us serving in today. I cannot even begin to describe to you what goes through your mind or how you feel when you see people going through trash for a living, kids sniffing glue to fight hunger, smelling filth in the air because there are no bathrooms, or seeing people drink water out of trash they found on the ground.

Our team split into two groups today and helped remodel/construct two houses that were either rained on during the night or had used tarps as their roof the night before.

Walking through the dump we heard the kids say "gringos gringos" as they watched us carry supplies near their homes. Going in there to find the particular "house" to work on instantly puts a different perspective on the word possessions as you realize the cloths on your back may have cost more than the money they see in a month.

A few of us got to work with Pastor Saul, who i have more respect for within a few minutes of meeting him than friends I've had my whole life. Even with a language barrier you can understand his heart for Christ by how he acts or what he does for these people. He shows it not just in his words but in His sacrifice for the Lord as he washed peoples hands and hair this evening, and then served them food. It is so clear that he listens to the Lord, and is willing to do whatever the Lord asks. We can praise him and admire what he is doing but only his courage, sacrifice, and willingness to follow a call. Someone said today as we were watching a young man come to him for help that "pastor Saul is a hero here". He replied, "no it's Jesus".

Jesus is the only reason we are here. We will be here for a week and constructing houses that take three hours to finish, but given the chance the tools will be laid down to share the Gospel that will establish a stronger foundation than some wood and tin. I am honored to be apart of what Pastor Saul and his team are doing because it is more than just building small 12 X 12 houses or serving food, but they are being Jesus to these people with their hands and feet!

This week is already humbling as we realize that we are being used by the Lord as an answer to prayer for these people.

Thoughts from our team...

"Appreciative for so little that we did"

"Children are a special part of the week. They have a way of touching your heart."

"They are serving the same Jesus in Guatemala City as in Gainesville, Ga.

"You Really see Christ in Pastor Saul, because he brings it to life."

"God loves the people down here the same as me"

"What's going to happen when we leave?"

Guatemala Blog 05/29/11 Sunday, Day One

Mission Team-Jimmy Martin, Charles Pharr, Dale Stauffer, Yale Moore, Mike Beard, Richard Hunt, Babe Campbell, David Waldrip, Mark Thomas, David Dillard, Tom Bryant, James Tipton, Anna Maria Tipton, and Robert Puckett

Hey Lakewood, we are back at it and on another adventure to build houses and

support Pastor Saul and his church. Iglesia El Camino. Getting to the airport was very smooth thanks to great volunteers. We arrived got the team through security, got to the gate, and boarded on time. I thought to myself this is going to easy, where is the stretch in this. Then it occurred, the pilot came on while taxing out of the gate, and stated the word you hate to hear, DELAY! I thought ok how long. Well needless to say 2 hours later and after replacing an engine computer we were back at it.

The flight was smooth and we would be there soon. We connected quickly with several of our friends at the airport, got checked in at Seteca Seminary and made our way to our favorite neighborhood in Guatemala, Rayitos de Esperanza (Rays of Hope) school. We walked from the school to around the corner, where the new school will be built and were greeted from several families and friends we have connected with over the years that Lakewood has been serving in Guatemala. We had a short service and time of prayer. Pastor Saul welcomed us in the meeting and told the families how we would be serving this week in the landfill, the families and people were so excited that we had arrived, their faces were filled with so many smiles. We then were able to pass out shoes to 20 or more children, new shoes for caldron who have so little. I bet you could guess their response, smiles, thanks and joy. I was so blown away from their gratitude and expressions of thanksgiving. The children didn't care about the color, the brand, or even if it was a perfect fit. I have some thoughts on this shoe experience in the landfill neighborhood of Guatemala

First, the reality of why do we take so much for granted. We have so much to be thankful for, and we miss giving thanks a good bit of the time. I want to be more thankful! In a recent Bible study I did on the word blessed and blessing it meant to be totally content in God and His provisions. It means you were satisfied in Him alone. I desire to be more satisfied in Him. I want to be blessed in that since of the word, not hobbies, possessions, or stuff.

Matthew 6:33-"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

Secondly, thanking about the shoes and the children's experience of possibly having new shoes for the first time. I thought of our salvation and how Christ greets us and clothes us in Him. A far better gift then our temporary needs, as important as that is. I want to be more appreciative for the great gift God has given to us in Christ...we have been clothed in His righteousness.

We start construction today in the landfill. Please keep our team in your prayers, more later.

Thanks,

Robert Puckett

June Trip Is Almost Here!

Several of our church members will be traveling to Guatemala City, Guatemala to build and repair homes in the Guatemala City landfill.