Steve Hanson's Sending ----

Getting a little loud in the name of Christ! 

Grace and peace to you from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

I have been asked to ‘wrap-up’ the trip with a blog post and I am finding it to be a daunting task.  How do I put into words the amazing work our 18 youth and 8 adults did, all in the name of God?  How can I properly share the gratitude of Francisco and Gloria’s family for their new home and 2 new beds?  How can I personally share how my faith has grown through being with your kids and experiencing their faith in action?

In 4 days, we built not just a house but a home.  Where there once was a dirt floor, there is now a solid foundation; a foundation poured with God’s love.  Our kids pounded nails, creating walls that will keep this family safe and warm.  They ran the electrical wiring, installed windows, hung doors and assisted in attaching the roof.  They were active in every aspect of the house building.  The Holy Spirit was present with them as they shared their faith in Christ through action.  Watching Francisco and Gloria receive the keys to their new home and watching the kids see their new beds for the first time was a memory none of us will forget.  Our kids to did good work in the name of Christ.

It isn’t often a team that ranges from 14 to 50-something, with different backgrounds and interests, have the opportunity to travel together and share their faiths together.  We did not have experienced carpenters with us.  Many in the group had little to no experience in pounding nails.  But what we did have was love, faith, & fun.  We loved this family before we left for Guatemala and love them all the more having spent a week with them.  We shared our faith and were a faithful presence in this community.  And we had fun doing it.  Through the sweat and dirt, we had fun faithfully serving this family and community.

We are very grateful to the Normandale Congregation and the Normandale Foundation.  Your support and love for kids made this trip possible.

I would like to thank the families of this wonderful team for sharing your kids and adults leaders with me.   The adult leadership we had on this trip was unmatched by any other.  They led by example through hard work on the work site and played hard with the kids back at our residence (‘Brick House’) in the evenings.  To the families of the kids, I have said it before, I said it on the trip and I’ll say it now, I am a better person and more faithful Christian having spent time with your kids.  Being around them and listening to them share their faith, strengthens my faith and makes me a better follower of Jesus Christ.  Thank you Thank you Thank you for sharing your kids with me.  I love you all very much.

In Christ, Steve-o

Our Awesome Team

Lily Askegaard                     Emerson Clay                       Caitlin Everett                     Peter Gullickson                   Annika Henry                    Joanne Henry                      Hannah Holmquist                  Kelsey Holmquist                   Olivia Kilberg                   Blake Levin                            Katie Malcom                      Alex Meffert                                 Alec Nelson                    Marissa Nelson                                    Greg Nelson                          Emma Noble                              Ginny Ogle                        Mike Ogle                               Emma Noble                         Jim Rubin                             Lindsay Rubin                                  Aaron Telander                                    Cole Thompson                                    Evan Tungsevick                    Kinsey Wessels

The Dedication

July 24, 2014, Day 4

As we stood  on the cement porch with our Guatemalan family, we took a look at our finished casa. As we readied and practiced some Spanish terms, we couldn't help but think about the journey that has brought us to this moment. Starting from a dirt surface, our work has brought together a wooden framed house that will keep this family of 8, Gloria and Francisco and their four girls along with Francisco's parents, safe and secure.

As we put the finishing touches on today, we spent much time with the family. We quickly found that Duck Duck Goose, Ring around the Rosie, and Oboe shenaughten Taughten are indeed universal games. Throughout the day, many gifts were exchanged between the family and our group. On our part, we signed a Bible, a cross for the home, many toys, shoes, coloring books and dolls. Some of us were moved to share our shoes and other belongings that the family may have needed. 

At the end of the day, we knew we had received far more gifts than we could have ever given to Gloria and her family. Just having the opportunity to feel their love and connect with this family made the trip so worthwhile. Up until today, we had brought our own lunch from the casa, but today was different. Gloria and her family worked hard all day to  make us a lunch worthy of a large wedding in Guatemala. The cost of the meal she prepared would have provided her family food for a week. This was the one way that the family knew they could demonstrate their thanks for our work. The meal filled not only our stomachs but also our hearts. The meal consisted of corn meal and spices with a grilled chicken leg or breast in the middle, all poured into an adobe clay bowl. We can't forget to mention the homemade tortillas on the side! 

Once the final nails were pounded and last touches put on the home, we carried in two beds we had purchased as a surprise for her family. Up until now, they have been sleeping on the dirt floor of their makeshift home. Finally, we were ready!

The dedication was very special. Along with much prayer and singing, we presented the family with a Bible that each had signed in Spanish along with a Cross. Then Gloria and her husband Francisco each received llaves "keys" to their new home. Such a sense of pride and thanksgiving crossed their faces as we all cried. Finally, Alec and Francisco each  pounded one last nail to secure a "Casas por Cristo" sign to the front door frame. It was done, and all of our hearts were filled with gratitude and peace. What a gift. 

Post written by Ginny and the Normandale youth blog team for Day 4.

Shopping Day in Antigua

After a 30 mile, two hour bus ride, we finally reached Antigua for a day of shopping and sightseeing.  Highlights from our day included learning to barter with local merchants, a trip to the fanciest McDonalds most of us had been to, a lot of beautiful architecture, and getting to pick out gifts and souvenirs for friends and loved ones. 

Evan, Cole, and Katie

Final day of the Build!

Day 4 was Huge!

We had so much packed into our day that we didn't have time for a group blog entry,  but all is well and we are excited for tomorrow .We  finished devotions on the rooftop at 10 after a late dinner. (Great discussion on what it really means to share God's peace). More details later from the group on finishing the house and the dedication ceremony where the house was blessed and keys presented to the family. 

Tomorrow we are off to Antigua for some sightseeing and a little shopping as a group. It I s about 90 minutes from San Raimundo. Internet is sometimes spotty at night as it was tonight, but we will try to post more tomorrow. 

In closing this full day, I couldn't be more proud of our Normandale youth. Thank you for sending us forth to serve here in Guatemala with Casas por Cristo! 

Peace be with you! 

Joanne Henry

Raising the Roof

It's the third day. Jesus said if the temple was destroyed, he would rebuild it in 3 days. And while Jesus was talking figuratively, we're not far off the mark from raising this house in His name. But we have to tell you, it's not without hardships! Hot sun, lots of blisters, aches and pains, stiff wrists and hands, dirt caked skin, hands hit by the hammer, long days without shade, sore backs, swollen arms from bug bites, so many bruises, a tarp lined outdoor "bathroom". Just to name a few! But on the positive side, we're pretty pleased with what we accomplished- and what we learned how to do together today. 

Today we measured, cut and nailed in siding. We did the same with rafter boards which required excellent balance by a couple of adult team leaders; we installed aluminum window frames - try hammering nails into those! We cut and put up the inside walls for the three room house , installed electrical outlets and switches for each room and ran the wiring throughout the house. Yeah, we did that! Along the way we took time for a game of tickle monster with about 15 neighborhood kids drawn to the site every day- we brought a soccer ball and football and the little kids were crazy good at fútbol. 

We are thankful and lucky to have the expertise of Pat and Stephanie from Casas por Cristo who have been leading build sites here since mid-May. it also doesn't hurt that some of our adults have building and electrical expertise. Some also embraced the mantra "go hard or go home"-  #MrRubin. 

It was also Katie's birthday today. We sang at dinner and had her blow out the candles after our nightly devotions, held on the rooftop and led by our youth.Tomorrow Steve says he'll take us out for ice cream to celebrate , we got back too late today. 

 

So in closing, If we can survive another day, we are told we will finish this house tomorrow. We're have faith. We could also use your prayers! For Gloria and her family as they receive their home tomorrow. 

Tonight's blog brought to you by Nicole (hi Mom) , Alex (#himom), Annika ( half of Lannika) and Joanne Henry and Jim Rubin. 

PS from the adults - all the youth on this trip have demonstrated excellence in new skills and abilities. They look forward to getting home soon to help put these new skills to good use! 

A few more photos!