RPC Guatemala: Monday June 16th, 2014 first construction day and vbs

Monday, June 16, 2014

Monday June 16th, 2014 first construction day and vbs

Thanks for checking in on us! As I am sure some of you heard there was a 5.5 mag. Earthquake this morning in Guatemala around 4am. Luckily none of us felt it or were affected. Also we just learned that the flight we were on to Guatemala on Saturday had to be grounded after take off when they were on their way back to Atlanta because they smelled smoke.

We had an awesome first day at Vacation Bible School at the Chichi school and the Chulamal school. We did crafts, read bible verses and played games. Then we split off into construction teams and we built a Pray America house and had a concrete team. The "Concrete Cowboys" as they are now known down in these parts carried 64 bags of concrete that weigh 110lbs each. That is a total of 3 tons of concrete, they moved that concrete a total of 15 miles, and the hiked a total of 30 miles. To say they had worked up an appetite for dinner was an understatement. The Pray America house that we built was a 20ft by 14 ft house and we put siding a roof and a door on. Tomorrow we are back at construction and VBS.

God is here with us and several of us have noticed how wonderfully the students are all working together with the adults and with each other. Everyone is working together so well even if they hadn't known each other prior to this trip. I am not a parent yet but I just have to say to all of you parents that sent one of your kids on this trip you should be so very proud of how mature, sweet and hard working they all are.

We are having trouble uploading pictures to the blog so we are trying to send some pictures to Andrew so that he can upload some pictures to the RyeX Facebook page.

Tonight we had Pam, Jose, Nathan, and Natalie Munoz over for dinner tonight at the hotel. Pam and Jose shared their amazing story of their life of being missionaries. Pam spoke to us about the huge impact that the scholarships that we donate make on all of the students and how grateful they are to everyone at RPC.

Thank you for your continued prayers!
Stephanie Dunn

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Some Background on how we got involved

One RPC member has been involved in Guatemala for over 30 years. It began with his grandfather helping to purchase and start both a school and a hospital there. His father designed the original plans for the hospital, and then scavenged hospitals in the US for used equipment to ship to Guatemala. This RPC member spent 2 months during the summers of 1974 and again in 1976, in Guatemala.

The hospital and school reflects the bond of two families. The Hays' and the Morris' and two generations of each family. Bill & Arthur (first generation) were the visionaries that saw the need for both the school and the hospital. They worked together to create the foundation of what is going on today. Mr. Hays was in Guatemala as a missionary. Today the second generation, Tom & Mark, continue to travel to Guatemala and work together to maintain the visions of their fathers.

The Utatlan School is a Christian school in the city-state of Quiche. It provides Christian education for 1200 students, both boarding and day students. Grades K to technical school are offered. The biggest challenge of the school is to provide enough classrooms and dorm space for the students. Most students are on financial aid (RPC members sponsor many students).

The hospital is a charity facility in the city of Chichicastengo that provides medical care to all, as well as a Christian outreach. When the second floor was completed, a new OR suite and patient rooms were added. One private room was also created for private, paying patients. The hospital also has facilities for a Pediatric Nursery, Labor, Delivery, and an OB-GYN with diagnostic ultra-sound. A dental clinic with a new and improved dental chair has also been added. While these facilities don't measure up to our expectations, they do surpass the government hospital in the next town over.

The work is on-going. Nurses quarters. The drilling of a well for clean water. And right now, an up-grade of the current x-ray equipment.

As members of the RPC team, you will get to visit with the fabulous people who work at the school and hospital. You may be part of a painting team (yes we do upkeep), or a VBS teacher at the school, or a concrete worker for a new addition. Open to serve, where ever the call may be.

There's much more to tell.

Helpful Hints on packing

Scrubs are my personal favorite for packing (little space), comfort (it's like being in you pj's), and they can really take a beating and be worn another day or two. The weather tends to start out cool, you work up a sweat, it rains, and the evenings go cool again. You can pick these up at the local thrift shops from $2 to maybe $4 bucks a pair. 3 pair would be plenty.

T-shirts. Again find the local thrift shop and pull 5 fun t's (be mindful of nothing offensive posted across your chest).

Girls, sports bras are way more comfortable to work in all day.

Mission trips are not fashion statements. Make up is usually forgotten by day 3. Matching is never required. Comfort and practical is what you're looking for. Hair in braids, pony tails, stuffed under a hat, or covered with a rain hood; get the picture?

CLOSED TOE SHOES! We can't say this enough. You HAVE to have shoes that your whole foot is enclosed in. Any time you leave the hotel you will be REQUIRED to be in a solid shoe.

PACKING LIST!

Travel/church/non-work clothes could be:

-1 pair shorts/athletic type (NO short shorts, ie soffees)

-3 shirts/t-shirts or blouses with sleeves (no tanks)

-1 pr of jeans (no holes, tears, or cut offs) or khakis or casual dress (2" pass your finger tips in length)

-modest swim suit (one piece)

-8 prs underwear

-sleepwear

-light weight jacket/sweat shirt/flannel (it gets cool)

-rain jacket/wind breaker with hood (it rains)

-work shoes and tennis shoes (comfortable walking shoe)

-empty/refillable water bottle (wide mouth is best)

-toiletries; hair & tooth brush, paste, shampoo, deodorant

-small flashlight

specific to Work clothes:

- 3or4 pair of scrubs/long pants/jeans (they get dirty)

-4 t-shirts with sleeves (no spaghetti straps or tank tops) all long enough to cover your torso (even if your hands are up)

-work boot/rugged shoe for hiking, walking, hauling in, shoveling in, etc. (water resistant is a good thing)

-thick crew sock for construction (non-cotton is recommended)

-work GLOVES (extra courage to dig in!) YOU NEED THESE

-optional safety glasses/sun glasses

-hat or head bandana (pony tail bands too)

-hand sanitizer or container of Wet Ones

-Sunscreen

-small roll of toilet paper or pocket size tissue packs

Other:

-a small bible

-a pen

-wash cloth or thin quick drying towel

-non perishable snacks/candy

-plastic grocery bags to pack up soiled or wet clothing

-disposable camera

FYI- don't pack anything that would make you sad about loosing it. Ipods, digital cameras, jewelry... leave it at home if you can't stand the thought of never seeing it again. Things get lost, get destroyed, picked up by strangers...

NOTE: NO camouflage anything! No camo hat, shirt, pants, nothing. This is NOT acceptable apparel.

Personal Carry On Bag/purse/day pack: PASSPORT, passport, passport! prescriptions, glasses/contacts, book, e-ticket, camera, and a small bottle of hand cleaner. Remember you can only have 3 oz bottles of liquids on you which need to be inside of a zip lock baggie. Maybe a few dollars for munchies at the airport (once you go through security).