Before going on this trip, I tried to prepare myself for what I would come to see in Guatemala. Of course, I had known about the tremendous poverty, but when I saw it with my own eyes, it moved straight from my head to my heart. This was the kind of thing you read about, maybe pray for every once in a while, but then move on with your thoughts. Right away, I knew God brought me here for a reason.

I was part of House 2 of the three houses built. Oscar (25) and Linda (24) had a daughter named Lindsey (8) and a son named Steven (4). Their living conditions were horrible, but this wasn’t what shocked me the most. Oscar and Lindsey had two nephews, one of which was deaf and mute. His name was Jesús.

What amazed me was that, even with his environment on top of his disability, I was still able to communicate with him by simply smiling, which in my opinion can speak much louder than words. He would even try to help out with construction of the house, eagerly scraping away at the walls. The other team members and I would toss him in the air, or spin around with him, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a happier kid.

God used the houses in Guatemala to show me how truly blessed I am to live in a secure and safe environment, but He used Jesús to show me that all you truly need in life to be happy is family, hope, and love.