Servants 4 Him

Tuesday Feb 11 the Ratzam house was finished. The family is very happy and praising the Lord. Pastor Efrain told us the ladies in family were crying tears of joy.

There were some unused block from the project and some unspent funds. A few more blocks were purchased to replace an adobe wall on another part of the house and a bed was purchase for the grandfather. Pastor Efrain and Betty (his wife) visited and told us that the grandfather was very happy and praising God; it was the first time in his life that he has slept on a bed.

Pastor Efrain told us that the Ratzam house is the 53rd house that has been constructed since 2005 when Servants 4 Him first started working in San Pablo after Hurricane Stan. In 2005 no mission organizations were helping in San Pablo. Praise God for hurricanes that cause His people to see needs and respond to them. The Lord is doing amazing things through one pastor, Efrain, who continues to have a heart to help families in San Pablo.

Almost Finished

We received a message today from Pastor Efrain that the Ratzam house is almost finished; the work should be completed Wednesday next week (Feb 12, 2014). Here is how it looks today.

On Tuesday, Jan 28, Carol and Forrest had the opportunity to meet the Ratzam family.   Most of the family members do not speak Spanish, only Tzutujil (su-tu-heel).  With Pastor Efrain translating, the family expressed how grateful they are to be getting a new house.  Meet the family in the photos below:

When we arrived at the construction site the family had already torn down the adobe and cane structure to make room to start building.    However, because there was a town fair (celebration) it was impossible for materials to be delivered to start construction.

We receive photos on Saturday, February 1.   Obviously materials were delivered later in the week and construction has started.   Estimated completion time is about 2 weeks (approx. Feb 14 – how appropriate – Valentines Day!!).

On Jan 27, 2014 Servants 4 Him will start its first Buy One/Build One house construction project. The house will be built for a family in San Pablo la Laguna, Solola, Guatemala. Meet the family below.

This is family of 11 who lives in small house constructed of adobe and cane (dried corn stalks). The man has been a widower for many years and lives with his family; sadly it is a very poor family. None of the grandchildren are in school and they work in the fields. They work coffee fincas (farms) and earn Q40/day ($5.00) for the entire family.

Antes

Demolition of their current house will start on Monday (the 27th). The family is very happy; the Lord is blessing this family with a much better home.