Monday, August 26, 2019

WRITTEN BY TOM YELLE

I thought I’d share some experiences while working with the men in Mya Itza on the church. We helped pour a concrete floor with them.

While we didn’t speak the same language, the language of working hard is universal. A pat on the back, gracious, a smile.

One of the things that stood out was how the men were very skilled at what they did with very few tools. One tool they used especially well was the chainsaw. When we looked at the benches and sides of the building, it was clear, something was different. There were circular marks throughout the cuts. That’s because everything was done by a chainsaw. Every cut was perfect and straight, but they all had the marks.

Robert asked that some forms be cut to pour the concrete in. We gave the dimensions and the watched in delight as Marco used the chainsaw to cut perfectly (both the right length but also straight) the boards requested with nothing but a chainsaw. Watching him cut a straight line from a huge board down to smaller 2 x 3’s was a treat.

The wood in Mya Itza was the hardest wood I’ve every experienced. Every nail we used to create forms and stakes bent. 100% of the time. We would often have to use 2 or 3 nails to get one in. One of the men smiled and joined us to help put the forms together. Through hand signals, he smiled, took the nail, rubbed it against his nose (to put sweat and oil on the nail) and then drove the nail straight in. No words, just a smile and sharing.

Things like this happened all day. Each of use sharing what we knew and encouraging one another.

The men of Mya Itza had never poured concrete before, and we did not understand the challenges they faced cutting, nailing, no electricity, water that is turned on every other day and oppressive heat were just a few. The truck that delivered stone and sand did not have reverse. We were reverse :)

What an amazing learning experience for both of us.

Yesterday we fully turned into tourists!

We had a great walking tour of Antigua. Many interesting places to see and several interesting stories and facts about the Mayan’s.

During our tour, we noticed one of the many live Volcanos blow a couple puffs of smoke as if to give us a show.

I took the afternoon to grab some pool time and get a massage.

Last nights devotion was again deep and meaningful.