RPC Guatemala: We have new goals!

Sunday, June 6, 2010

We have new goals!

We have been given an opportunity to help. Our project money was all spent on Pray America Homes and eXtreme make over projects of concrete slabs, tin roofs, and tons of paint for the Chulumal school to get a new fresh coat. We made a call home to RPC for emergency funds to rebuild homes here (a small town that lost ten homes to the waters). Loss of life, homes, and all their belongings. As a team we decided to go out on faith to start at least one home. We canceled a restaurant meal for 43 (our whole team) so we could use the money to build. Today we got confirmation that RPC will provide funding for us to do more! Before I could announce it to the team we had a date with another local church. We walked down to Paster Abel's church to share messages, music, and fellowship. While we were there a local missionary got up and challenged the church members to share in this journey with us. The church members took up an offering while we were there. The men will join our team to work and the women will gather clothing and food. We may not speak the same language, but the Lord fills us all with the same spirit! There's the fuel money we will need to move supplies and crews back and forth!

Please continue to pray for our continued good health, inspiration, and well being as we serve the people of Chichicastango.

peace & blessings,

Lisa

4 comments:

Unknown said...: Can we do something back in the states to help? What kinds of things do you need?; June 6, 2010 at 9:42 PM
Unknown said...: Oh, and did you need baby formula?; June 6, 2010 at 9:45 PM
Rev. Tim Read said...: "What can we do back in the states?" Financial help would be welcome.

I give thanks to God for the generous congregants at RPC who support our 2nd Mile for Mission offering. 2nd Mile funds not only provided all the building supplies and project expenses for the Guatemala trip, but 2nd Mile dollars provided additional emergency funds to assist in this new opportunity. Contributions to RPC's 2nd Mile for Mission fund are received all through the year.

Rev. Timothy T. Read
Executive/Mission Associate Pastor
Roswell Presbyterian Church
755 Mimosa Blvd
Roswell, GA 30075
tim@roswellpres.org; June 7, 2010 at 12:36 PM
Anonymous said...: The Lord blesses his children so that they may be a blessing. I am praying for you. Bill J; June 8, 2010 at 8:04 AM

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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).