Dr. Luis' apartment should be finished within the month. Ruben, one of the young men who we have known and loved since we came to Guatemala has become quite the skilled woodworker. We still need to build
cabinets and put in the bathroom sink. But we should be able to finish by the end of January when they arrive. It is hard to believe that a few months ago, this was the garage/Duane's very messy workshop!
The hospital property apartment is underway as well. Ryan and Katie will move there until they can locate a more permanent living situation. The house was there on the property but was very rundown and had been the home to various cows and other wild creatures. The men gutted it, tore out walls, put in windows (most homes here don't have many windows), put down tile and added a bathroom. It is a pretty amazing transformation!
It too needs cabinets, bathroom fixtures, plumbing, a ceiling, and some electrical work.
Then there is the small problem of where to put the teams who will start to come to help with the construction beginning in January. We have decided to build a very simple concrete block building on the hospital property. In its two rooms (and bathroom) we hope to house up to 12 men.
And, the school needs an additional classroom to house the rapidly growing population of students. That too will be a very simple structure which, thankfully, will not need a bathroom. They make everything so much more complicated!
I haven't even begun to talk about the hospital. The fence is complete, the concrete plant is up and ready, and they have hauled literally hundreds of loads of dirt to bring the actual site up to grade...not really sure what that means,but I know it is important.
The hardest part is that the work that we did before all of this project began, continues. Duane still does emergency flights on a pretty regular basis, the tractor work for local farmers continues, and I am still gone a good portion of the time with clinic work. So, when you think of it, could you send up some extra prayers for Duane and the boys as the brunt of the construction responsibility lies on their shoulders? They are pretty stressed right now. And yet His grace is sufficient everyday!
Forgive me if it sounds like I am whining...I am not. We count it the greatest honor to serve the Lord in this way. We know that all of things are from Him and to Him...to serve His people well.The knowledge of that makes us want to do the very best that we can for Him.
"If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen." 1 Peter 4:11
