Raul was homeless and alone at age eight. Potter’s House has established a network of community leaders who are trained to support and encourage people in the community. It was a community leader that took in Raul and now introduces herself as his Mom. She is a true hero. These situations are common in a community where tragedy is routine and half the families are lead by single mothers. I worked and played with Raul every day this week and as our last day arrived I knew that I may not see him again. A lot happens in the garbage dump community and there is no guarantee I will return […]

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 […]

This is my second trip to Guatemala to build cinder block homes for families who live in the garbage dump through an amazing organization called Potter’s House. Last year, I went with my daughter Melissa and youngest son Mitch. This year, I was blessed to attend with my entire family including my husband Mike and oldest son Michael. Doing this experience as a family means so much more to me than words can describe. We all participated in scraping, spackling, mixing/hauling cement and painting along side with the new homeowners. As we worked we got to know this precious family and formed a special bond. Even though we speak different […]

And so, after years of sending our boys (now men) on mission trips each summer, I am now on my first mission trip—miles from Bartlett in Guatemala City at Potter’s House Association serving “the treasures” in the Potter’s House community. Forty-one Chicago suburbanites building three cinder block houses, hosting a medical clinic staffed by three physicians, painting at the community center, doing prayer walks, and the list goes on and on. I was told “I would come back a different person”. I thought to myself I am pretty kind, compassionate and generous now. How wrong I was, oh, how wrong I was! I have learned more this week about serving […]