Day 7 and Gary H. still hasn't changed his underwear.

Jeff





Last day of the mission trip and the dedication day for the twenty houses. We finished up the final additions of the houses. The whole group travelled to each house for the dedication which included prayer with each family. It was amazing to witness the emotion of the families upon receiving the lock and key for their house. There are many different families that stand out, such as the family with 8 kids currently living on the side of a mountain in a lean to with plastic walls. Julio, age 23 and his wife with eight kids will now have a new 12 X 12 house. It was touching to not only see the appreciation for their houses, but to also see how they have decorated their houses with flowers. It has without question been a rewarding experience. I am thankful for the opportunity to share this experience with 33 others from First Baptist. We have all grown so much closer through this experience and certainly impacted many the lives of so many Guatemalans.

Wes Davis


What an incredible week. I told people today it was like a good football game - started slow in the first half but got great in the second half. Wednesday and Thursday were two great days - good weather, good batteries for tools and great inspiration to finish the work. I was on the Davis (Wes Davis) team, but due to his extreme fever of 99.2, I was traded to the Harris (Gary Harris) team. I have been known to the group as the "free agent". The Harris team, otherwise known as teamo de dreamo, started and finished three houses on Thursday. All of the other teams had similar successful days. The faith of the families receiving the houses has been something that has been extremely rewarding to see. The 20th house was started and finished on Thursday except for the door and window. The family was told earlier in the week that we were coming to build them a new house, so their previous house was torn down to make room for the new one. They were without a house for a few days, waiting on us to get there. I wondered what Friday was going to be like by going to all 20 houses for the dedications. What a moving experience to witness the familes moved to tears, and then moving us to tears by their faith. In each of the pastor's prayers, he used the words "hermanos de Jesus Cristo", meaning brothers of Christ. I loved waiting for it and listening to that each time. All in all, what an awesome trip - looking forward to the next trip to Guatemala.


Jeff Tanner

TOP 10 THINGS NOT HEARD ON THE MISSION TRIP

10. Grayson, what do you think?
9. They sure have smooth roads down here.
8. Wes is Davis is so positive.
7. I wish it would rain more.
6. Go ahead and step in it. It's probably just mud.
5. Let's all get fanny packs like Marion.
4. I wish we could get Tracy Hamlet to talk more.
3. Muddy? I hadn't really noticed.
2. Yeah, it's probably all right to drink out of that barrel.
and the # 1 thing not heard on the Mission Trip-
1. Nah, leave the new batteries here - the old ones will work just fine!


RANDOM NOTES FROM THE LAST DAY ON THE WORKSITE - DAY 7

Wes Davis left his lunch at our worksite yesterday morning. We took his sandwich out and replaced with a rock, then sent it over to his site. It's the little things in life.

Several of the people cried today when we dedicated their houses. It was very emotional for us, too. I was glad I was wearing sunglasses.

20 houses in 4 and 1/2 days. Pretty good, but it wasn't because of our strength. Any one on our site the last day will testify that it was the strength and grace of God that got us through it.

I am getting eat slam up by mosquitoes as I type this. Peace out.