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After a weekend of exploring the different scenes of Guatemala, we all went back to work for Monday. Sentiments were mixed about a new work week, but even before we arrived at our house, our spirits were lifted and motivation rejuvinated while driving through the narrow streets of Santa Maria de Jesus. Above us on a hill, a small red house stood out to us. This house, Fred explained earlier, was the house that had been built only a week before by the first trip´s team. Next to the house, we saw a group of tiny figures waving as we drove by. Clearly, the last family was greatly impacted by the From Houses to Homes project. Enthusiasm was in no short supply as we jumped out of the back of the truck only to be stopped by hugs and smiles from our own two families.
The work day was fairly uneventful. The floor had been leveled by the family, and we added five more layers of cinderblock to the house. The door became more pronounced and windows began to take shape. However, the day itself was in no way uneventful. The oldest and most outgoing girl at the site, Favia, spent a few minutes watching and helping before being called into the house for breakfast and then rushed into town for what we understood to be her first communion. We spent time with the rest of the family during lunch, and were able to play more with the boys who are less outgoing than the girls. I was also touched by the joy and gratitude of Innocenta, tho mother always carrying little Victor on her back, who wrapped me up in a big hug as lunch was wrapping up. Everybody joined in a few games before going back to laying cinderblocks.
After a weekend of exploring the different scenes of Guatemala, we all went back to work for Monday. Sentiments were mixed about a new work week, but even before we arrived at our house, our spirits were lifted and motivation rejuvinated while driving through the narrow streets of Santa Maria de Jesus. Above us on a hill, a small red house stood out to us. This house, Fred explained earlier, was the house that had been built only a week before by the first trip´s team. Next to the house, we saw a group of tiny figures waving as we drove by. Clearly, the last family was greatly impacted by the From Houses to Homes project. Enthusiasm was in no short supply as we jumped out of the back of the truck only to be stopped by hugs and smiles from our own two families.
The work day was fairly uneventful. The floor had been leveled by the family, and we added five more layers of cinderblock to the house. The door became more pronounced and windows began to take shape. However, the day itself was in no way uneventful. The oldest and most outgoing girl at the site, Favia, spent a few minutes watching and helping before being called into the house for breakfast and then rushed into town for what we understood to be her first communion. We spent time with the rest of the family during lunch, and were able to play more with the boys who are less outgoing than the girls. I was also touched by the joy and gratitude of Innocenta, tho mother always carrying little Victor on her back, who wrapped me up in a big hug as lunch was wrapping up. Everybody joined in a few games before going back to laying cinderblocks.
Before long, the fifth layer of blocks was laid and everybody piled into our little yellow pick-up truck to head to the villiage´s soccer field. No matter how many times we ride in the trucks, the precision of the drivers always amazes us as we drive around seemingly impossibly tight turns between houses and fences, and today--around a horse teathered in the road. We played soccer with the From Houses to Home workers on a relativly small basketball/soccer court for at least an hour while waiting for the second truck to come pick us up. A few people decided to relax on the hill next to the soccer field and were quickly aquainted with what seemed to be half the villiage´s children who came asking for gum and settled for a few games instead.
Back at CasaSito, we wound down the day with a few rounds of Euchre (a new favorite card game,) a debriefing of the day, and a very laid-back dinner with a not-quite-all-there waitor at a resturant/hostel called Kafka. Around 9:30, we dragged ourselves back to our beds and prepared for another day in Guatemala. ¡Hasta Mañana!
-Kristen Zeiler
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