This morning the traffic was gone - and we arrived on time.

The work crew finished the second rolling rack for the store, but there are still four more racks and six more shelves to finish. Helen and Deborah dug helped dig holes for the columns that will support the dividing wall which is not yet built. Digging the holes was a tough job - digging a 2 foot deep hole through hard concrete and packed soil. Work on the new chapel is coming along nicely. The Guatemalan workers have poured most of the vertical columns. And the roof structure will likely go in next week.

Peter Graf nearly completed the east end of the entry, and completed about half of the west end. It’s absolutely gorgeous. He’s disappointed he will not be there to see it completed. Other members of the team finished leveling and grading the perimeter apron in preparation for the concrete that will be used to protect the building from the torrential rains. We had the opportunity to visit three homes near Hogar Miguel. Each home was a different size. A family of 10 lives in a room approximately 8 feet by 12 feet, with dirt floors a tin ceiling and tin walls with a fire pit in the corner for cooking. The only furniture was four beds and a large bucket used to hold clothing. Another home was made of the same material, but was a little larger and it had electricity. The nicest of the homes was probably 12 feet by 20 feet. It had concrete walls, a concrete floor and a tin ceiling. It is amazing to see that the people of the village have a great appreciation for what God has given them no matter how modest it is. After we returned to Hogar Miguel, Shawn and the VBS team put on a fabulous farewell performance that included a puppet show about God’s love for everyone.  The children then were able to create their own sock puppets and play outside. We then had a closing celebration which included a song from Daniel who has only been playing guitar for a few months.  At the end, Karen, the director of Hogar Miguel gave a heartfelt thank you to all of us and it was time to say goodbye.