Joyful!

A preface to this blog; an afterthought to this blog:

I am not suggesting that building a home is not an expression of the love I have received in Christ. Rather, I am suggesting that just as faith without actions is dead (James 2:17), so too deeds without an expression of faith is perhaps ambiguous -- or an incomplete expression of the hope and love we have in Jesus.
Moving on...Today we completed the home that was started a week or two before we came. Here is a picture of Veronica and her children (less a camera shy boy and their working father). They say "Gracias!" This is a joyful day -- the house is basically complete (less moving in). A need met and to be enjoyed for a lifetime. It truly does changes one´s outlook and spirit. By changing their living condition, you are pouring hope into a situation that may feel hopeless. We had a barbecue to celebrate the completion today at lunch with the construction workers. The boys from the family celebrated by scrapping it out on their new porch!

Last weekend, we went to Semuc Champey. Summary in brief sentence fragments:
gorgeous pools of water, "cattle" transportation (pictured above - only 15 per ride haha!), Only one break down of the bus (because the clutch actually wasn´t fixed in the shop); Only 3 police pulling us over and not needing to pay any bribes; finding a delicious cup of hot cacao - made purely from its bean; being inviting into the kitchen of a restaurant to learn how to make hot cacao from its bean - the deal was that Dale and I couldn´t comment on the state of the kitchen (I love the "stringent" health regulations of restaurants here!); enjoying time with Guatemalan friends from the church and learning Spanish inside jokes (¡Baya!).

Well talk with you soon.
Andres

P.S. I will upload pictures in Antigua on Sunday as the Internet is slow in Tizate right now.

Struggle

Life is...Struggle.
A struggle for more, a struggle for less... a struggle for more of what?

Unkept, messy rooms. A basket filled with dirty laundry. An unwiped table attracting flies. This is what I observed when visiting a family I connected with last summer. They received a home after last summer from Global Shore. It is a family with five boys and a mother. The father passed away a few years ago. Their house and living condition is better, but did it truly solve and meet their struggle completely? Is this only part of the picture of ¨love¨? By the way, the boys and I had a blast playing soccer and monkey in the middle.

I guess I´m realizing the temporary fulfilment a house provides a family. It provides a lifelong impact in their living conditions, but the struggle we observe is still there. A new home is perhaps only possible through external help due to their current economic situation, but it only touches the surface of the need.

In the past week or so, I feel this insatiable hunger and longing for a deeper and fresh encounter with Jesus. Living off the few clothes and items packed within a suitcase, I see how my life is not as distracted by the ¨things¨ I purchase. I am noticing more and more how empty the promises of consumerism are - if you buy this, it will satisfy. Items that provide temporary fulfilment. This has challenged me to live next year more simply so that I can remove obstacles that deter me from pursuing a fresher and deeper relationship with Jesus. My solution or challenge: A Buy Nothing Year. How can this possibly occur? This means, I will be avoiding buying new items and items I do not deem necessary - aka, I can buy food, gasoline and necessities. I hope this will teach me that when I am tired and weary, I can go straight to Jesus, who can grant me true rest and satisfaction. It is saying, I choose to live simply and find comfort in Jesus who remains forever. This is my struggle for less.

On the other hand, as I struggle to live simply and void consumerism of its power, I see how it is causing struggle in families here. With rising food costs, I was talking with my host mother and others. Staple foods - such as corn flour and black beans - have doubled and tripled in price. They already spend a considerable proportion of their earnings (60-80%) on food. I think through my observation, the rising price of gasoline burdens developing countries more so, as their disposable income is minimal to begin with. This may cause concern or worry. The pressure to provide and to live is a constant struggle. This is the struggle for more to meet needs.

Perhaps along with temporary satisfaction - building a home - we need to recognize and look to Jesus who provides us with eternal satisfaction. Perhaps in a sense, whether striving for more or less, we strive for a constant satisfaction. We need to learn that we can give Jesus our concerns to find true peace within our lives by trusting that Jesus will provide us with our needs. Perhaps providing my Guatemalan friends with this truth - void of the lies consumerism teaches us. Applying generosity and help with a message of Jesus´ hope and peace for the future completes this picture of love.

We are always in need - no matter where we are in the world - and we need to know and trust that Jesus can provide us with the hope and peace we need for our weary souls.

Take care,
Andrew

P.S. It has also been a struggle to keep up with my blog. There has been several random and extended power outages this last week (not to mention the extended periods without running water). Thus, I apologize for the lack of posts. Hopefully there will be a few to catch up this week. Up next: Meeting the construction family and a weekend away.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.¨- Jesus, Matthew 11:28-29