Glenn Martin has 100 percent use of his left arm and at least 50 percent use of his left leg with daily improvement.  We were able to get him a direct flight home along with his brother Chet and wife and they will be flying home tomorrow (Saturday).  Continue praying for his complete healing.








(click to enlarge images)

March 10 - Work on the roof is complete!








March 11 - The work team traveled to Semuc Champey for some rest and relaxation in the natural springs.

March 12 - The team traveled to Betel to learn about the MCC land project.

March 13 - Travel home

Guatemala Experience by Nate Chace

Large white snow flakes cascade to the ground, as I sit by the window staring out of 737 jet at the Dulles International Airport. Its been five hours that we've been sitting here at least that's what I am told by Cliff and Neal a farmer and plumber going along with me to Guatemala. I glance out the window again, and notice the deicing machines are starting again. I begin to hope, and tell Cliff with a smile "We may just get out of here yet!"

We finally leave DC, make a pit stop in Panama City, where I can see the freighters heading into the canal, and finally arrive in Guatemala City approx 15 hours later. As we climb out of the plane we are informed that our luggage has not made it, and will not arrive until the next day. With disappointment showing on our faces we get a van to take us to a CASAs (a bible seminary in the city). Driving along I notice barb wire and concrete walls around each of the houses, the best way I can describe it is being on the outside of rows of prisons.

CASA's is beautiful, it is a tropical paradise with architecture that reminds me of a jewish palace with beautiful gardens and views of the volcanic mountains in the distance.

The next morning we decide to tour the city while we wait for our luggage to arrive. Jumping into the back of 80s toyota cruiser we head towards the town square.

The first thing you notice in the square is the imposing Palace, with pale green beauty it sits formidably, yet ornate with attention to every minute detail. Directly adjacent is the Catholic church designed with no expense spared, words cannot describe it.

After picking up our luggage, we get on the bus out to Carcha, our work site. Traveling through smells of diesel fumes, black smoke, cars and buses we escape the city into the countryside of Guatemala. Steep hills and cliffs mirror each side as we drive a long. Outside it appears dry and arid. As we near our destination the elevation increases and my ears pop.

Its dark and cold when we arrive in Carcha. As we enter our room to sleep for the night we see four concrete walls, several wooden bunks, and bars on the windows giving the impression of prison cell. We drop into our beds exhausted, waiting for the promise of the new day!

Breakfast in Carcha is beans and tortillas. We begin to work, we meet a couple of Guatemalans who will help us, tearing off the roof. We are finding a rhythm and these guys are no strangers to construction. By 11 a.m. we are more than happy with the progress, however, suddenly Glen sits down a few feet away from me exclaiming "Nate somethings wrong, I can't feel my leg, my arm!" I am scared, I think he may be having a heart attack, but soon realize he has just thrown a clot. He is unable to move his left side, realizing that he has had a stroke we pray, anoint him with oil, and take him to the nearest medical center in the back of pick up truck. I offer to go along. The doctor in Carcha can do nothing for him, and recommends a flight into Centro Medico the most advanced hospital in Central America.
Glen asks Chet (his brother), Galen, and myself to come along with him.

The plane is small they have barely have room for Glen and the three of us. The ride is bumpy, Glen and Chet both are overcome with nausea. Incredible feelings of anxiety hang in the air as we land at the airport. I ride with Glen in the ambulance to the hospital, praying that God would heal him, praying for a miracle. We arrive at the clean modern hospital, he is seen immediately by the doctor. I am forced to remember some Spanish to help translate. They get an I.V. started quickly and start the medication about 7 hours after the stroke occurred. Galen and Chet arrive, and he is admitted to ICU.

The next morning we are shocked to come in and see him moving his leg and arm some! I am overcome with thanksgiving, as I know that there is no way outside of divine intervention he should be moving this much. Chet begins crying and the moment is precious . . . the next couple days are a blur of phone calls, tickets, doctors, etc.

Saturday afternoon Glen, Chet and Jane fly back to the USA, and Galen and myself board the bus back out to Carcha to rejoin the group.

The morning is warm as we squish in the back of van on our way out to church. Two hours later we arrive to the sound of loud electronic music, seeming coming from the middle of nowhere. Walking up the dirt foot path towards the music we see a bright white stucko church in the middle of the country. This is a wonderful chance to worship with other cultures. They speak in the Mayan language of Ketchi, and everyone I talk with does not know Spanish, however, I make faces and use hand gestures to communicate and soon I feel like part of the group with children coming up and smiling . . . I teach them how to hi five!
For lunch with have chicken soup, my bowl comes with chicken stomach (yeah appetizing!), but I eat it to be polite, by the way worse than octopus.

The work project is coming along well, the roof is halfway done, bright blue beams and red tin our the end result of our project. I hop from beam to beam as I help lay tin down on the roof not realizing the floor is 5 meters below me. Beam after Beam we set in place, welded and covered with tin. At the end of our day we join the locals for a soccer game. Disclaimer, I am not good at soccer, but I played and had a great time of bonding with the local guys! We finished the main roof, installed lighting and electrical wiring, and another smaller roof in the next couple days.

Forty feet above the water I stand on a tree branch wondering what kind of foolishness I have gotten into. I jump, and two seconds later hit the water, experiencing a tremendous rush! Today we are relaxing at the beautiful aqua green pools of Semec Champey. This incredible display of God's handy work is absolutely breath taking. The best way to describe it is "natural playground".

There is much more I could write and should, I met lots of Guatemalans, learned lots of Spanish, ate lots of beans and tortillas, witnessed the miraculous power of God, made friends with kids, worked hard, played hard, and loved it all!! (The best part was I wasn't sick!!!!)