|
For one week, eight Kerkstra Precast Inc. team members served in Guatemala. Kerkstra Precast has been dedicated to serving our local community for as long as we have been in business but we were looking to expand our worldview in the area of service. This trip was an opportunity we offered to our staff to serve in an international setting. "This trip is something that everyone should experience. It will bring you closer to God and it will invigorate your prayer life. We weren’t just in Guatemala to serve these families but also to have our hearts changed! There were so many moments that will always stay with me but the one thing that I try to remember and reflect on is this: We have so many “things” and although we strive to live the American Dream, it was very apparent that this is not where it is at. We could see it with the families we worked with; God, Family, and serving will fill your heart completely. The happiness of the families we served was evident of that!" Beverly Burkholder "The thing that stuck out the most to me was how happy the people were to have us there. The 6 houses we built in the mountain village of San Ramon were very small and simple by American standards. However they were such a huge improvement over their current homes. Most of the existing homes were made with miscellaneous materials including and items that we would call trash. They were assembled directly on ground leaving dirt for the inside floor. They had no doors or windows just openings in the walls. Some had makeshift doors made of boards, but most had none. The miscellaneous materials used for the walls and roof did not seal. So the wind, rain, heat, cold, insects, and even some animals could come right in, or out. Dedicating the new homes to the families was probably my favorite part of the trip." Bill Ball "When we spend a week completely away from our normal daily activities some really cool things can happen. It is cool to meet new people that are on the team with us. It is cool to work with families on their new homes. It is cool to experience a new culture with new sights, sounds and smells. But mostly, for me, it is great to see how our Lord and creator has weaved this world around us together so wonderfully. Serving others is one of the most rewarding experiences I can think of." Kurt DeKock "The trip gave me such a better appreciation of what I have and that “things” do not make you happy. Being able to be a part of so many people coming to Christ and having a personal relationship with them." Greg Kerkstra KPI volunteered thru Paradise Bound Ministries which has been serving in Guatemala since 1997. Please go to their website to find out more about the important work they are doing in that country.
http://www.paradisebound.org/ If you would like to learn more about KPI’s international volunteering annual program feel free to contact Kurt DeKock at Kerkstra Precast to discuss just how we got this process started. Comments are closed.
|
