I was glad when they said unto me

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“Let us go into the house of the LORD.”

Psalm 122:1 (NKJV, see below) What follows is an outline in pictures of our mission trip to Huehuetenango, Guatemala. There we would do facility upgrade work and have Bible classes in an orphanage. October 27: Sixteen of us, 11 men and 4 ladies, from our Conroe, Texas, church and one man from Harvest Chapel in the Chicago area traveled from Guatemala City to Huehuetenango this first day.

Also going with us were three translators and two Buckner International project coordinators--one local and one from Houston (link).

It was the beginning of a week of work and play and learning for us. October 28: After a nice breakfast in our hotel we would hop into our faithful bus and ride a mile of so over to the orphanage. The children gave us a nice warm 'welcome,' or ¡Bienvenidos!

October 29: Bob, Larry, and I would install and/or hook add plumbing four hot water heaters. Mrs. Jim is a fine painter!

So is Jessica, our interpreter.

Manuel, our interpreter, and Scot were constructing and planting a new swing and a new see-saw. Mrs. Jim was the Bible class craft leader with the help of Robin, Debbie, Dorothy, Betsy, and Jessica. Dale lead the lesson telling with the help some of the guys who would take a work break. The kids really liked Ben. October 30: (my--Jim's--Birthday) What a start to a nice day!

The day at the camp would end with a pinata party. Here I am with worker friends and the emptied pinatas. October 31: 'Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to work we go!'

First a warm goodbye from our friendly house monkey. We had to dig to be able to cut into a cold water line for the heater behind this wall. Seen are me (Jim), Larry, and Bob. We were about finished, as were the others with their jobs.

The rest of this day and the morning of the next I would help with the painting effort. November 1: Goodbyes are sometimes hard.

November 2: On the way home we would take the scenic route, stopping at the Lake Atitlan area. (link) November 3: A 6:25 departure meant a 3:15 wake-up for us. Our nice breakfast was ready on our plane.

Next stop, Houston George H. W. Bush Intercontinental Airport. Our mini-bus with luggage trailer was waiting for us there. Sam is ready to be home. .

. Psalm 122 A Song of Ascents. Of David.

1 I was glad when they said to me, 2 Our feet have been standing Within your gates, O Jerusalem! 3 Jerusalem is built As a city that is compact together, 4 Where the tribes go up, The tribes of the LORD, To the Testimony of Israel, To give thanks to the name of the LORD. 5 For thrones are set there for judgment, The thrones of the house of David. 6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you. 7 Peace be within your walls, Prosperity within your palaces.” 8 For the sake of my brethren and companions, I will now say, “Peace be within you.” 9 Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek your good.

Psalm 122 (New King James Version -- link) 

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