Building a stove

We had the opportunity to assemble a well designed stove for the family.  It burns far less wood and has a chimney which gets the smoke out of the structure.  (The alternative is an open fire.)

Once we finished the building, the ladies were eager to start a fire.  :)

Our way around town

This was our transporation while we were in La Fragua.  Rafoldo, our driver, owns a few vans, but this one is small enough to get down the narrow streets in the neighborhoods.  It still will hold 15 adults.  (Not comfortably) 

La Tienda

There are these tiendas all over the place.  It is amazing all the different products you can buy in this small space.  Coke? Seven Quetzales (about a dollar)

Bathrooms at the church

The people in La Fragua made these beautiful bathrooms for their church.  They did a great job, but check out the water quality.  :P

Water supply?

This irrigation canal runs just above the neighborhood where we built the house.  It is the water the people use and drink.  Anyone thirsty?  :P

Interesting tools

I am always impressed with people's ability to make what they need with what they have.  Here is a great example.

The busy streets of Zacapa

Wiring the house

Wayne Ball helped run the wire in the house.  The whole house is on a single 5 amp circuit.  

Thursday

We named this pig Thursday.  I wonder why...

Road Conditions

The main road that connects the east coast with Guatemala CIty is being improved.  They are making it into a divided highway but the excavations are causing landslides.  Between the construction and repair there is a lot of roadwork.  Amazingly, it did not slow us down much.

Pouring the floors

Today we mixed concrete and poured the floors.  The first picture shows the concrete ready to mix with shovels.  We then carry it into the house with five-gallon buckets where it is troweled level.  

The Big Church's Kids Program

While waiting for the program to begin, Craig and I tried this local fruit given to us by some kids.  

 

Sheri sat by the family we met last time we were here.  We got to know them so much better this trip.  They will be getting their house next week built by a Jefferson City church.

The kids sang, did dramas, and did other numbers we did not understand.  It was cute, but HOT.  We felt bad for the kids sitting quietly for hours in their uniforms in the heat, but we were impressed at their patience.

        

Bible School day 1

The first day at the Bible School about 40 kids of all ages and about 10 moms and grandmas came.   They had a great time learning about the Nativity and playing parachute games.

 

Pouring the floors

Next step is to mix up the concrete on the ground outside the house and bring it in 5 gallon buckets.  Craig was made for this!     

Hard at work

Finally, after all the preparation and travel we are working.  The first job was to level the floors so the concrete could be poured.  Here's a few pictures of us digging, tamping, and scraping the floor level.   

Tech morning

The team taking advantage of the brief opportunity to use wifi.  We don't know when we will get it again.  :)

Relational Ministry

Craig Selbert helping a school child with his tie.  Isn't he adorable?  (I mean the kid)  :)

Skinny cows

More evidence of the poverty.  Cows across the lane from the house.

Going to church

We went to the big church in Zacapa. 

Wonderful people, and strangely, Sheri found a baby to hold.