Month: May 2019

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May 1 & 2, Guatemala

These next two days were a whirlwind of anticipated knowledge, experience and humility. We started out early morning on the 1st towards Guatemala City the capital. I had a scheduled appointment with a lawyer recommended by Doctor Kenny. This firm does all their legal junk for their in country organization Share4Life. We are working on some legal documents that Jim requested I deal with. The lawyer was also scheduled to go over the survey for the land purchase. So we headed out early for the big city with survey and other legal docs for the land in hand. We arrived at our appointed time for our meeting with the lawyer. We talked about a contract for the land and a contract between Share4Life and CI/GMSM. These are to legally protect all involved. A smart move on our part.

As our focus moved to the land and also another contract between us and buyer, she realized after doing further research that there is a discrepancy between the new survey we had and the legal survey that’s in the municipal office. So this put a halt to any property purchase at least for today. We had a meeting later on that day with Guadeloupe the land owner and her representative. We talked about the issue and both sides agreed to move forward and get this deal done. We contacted the lawyer and they agreed to see us again the following morning. We decided to stay in the city this night so we could make the 7:00 AM appointment. Kenny and our driver dude each went home and I stayed with my friends Victor and Monica. This is the guy I met on the plane and who helped us locate this jewel of land.

The following morning we all meet back at the lawyers office. Guadeloupe brought what legal papers she had, we had ours and we compared notes. We all agreed before starting the meeting that we are all one voice in this and our goal is to help the people and that we are dead serious about this land and they are dead serious about selling it to us. The legal survey shows the land is smaller than what her survey shows.This is not necessarily a bad thing. The legal municipal survey also shows that while it is a tad smaller it’s on the choicest part of the property. It also means we will not have to pay full price. It could be 3-4 grand less. Which will allow us to put that money into electric and sanitation services. The lawyer says she can have this all squared away in about two weeks.

Although they are responsible for these fees, I told them we’d pay half. Guadeloupe is badly in need financially and I know she has been taken advantage of by some jacked up pseudo lawyer she had. We will not take advantage of this situation. This whole process has allowed me to know that God is indeed in control. HE has most definitely affirmed, protected,blessed us with proper council and confirmed this project. This is precisely why I work so hard on a relational process. We are building a great support group of like minded people down here. It’s a small set back for a great reward. Can You Imagine? Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Kenny

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Guatemala – April 30

After a restful night and a good  breakfast at the guest house, we loaded up and headed to Taxisco. This is the town close to the property. I wanted go to the property and walk the surveyed lot and just spend time doing my own visual survey. This is a beautiful piece of land with huge mango trees. Mangos are a cash crop which in time can benefit the new owners once the houses are built. The property sits in a very lush area set back off the highway. It’s roughly 5 kilometers from Taxisco. We had Guadeloupe, the seller of the land call Francisco to get us in the property. This dude’s been there since the beginning of time I think and is the self proclaimed overseer of this area. He met us at the highway and was kind enough to take several hours of his time to walk the property with us.

We left the property and went into Taxisco. I’ve wanting to check this town out for a long time and this was perfect timing. This town is close enough for the people to get supplies, medical attention and schools are in this area. After talking to Francisco and checking out the community I felt some food supplies were needed. We stopped by a market and picked up rice, beans, flour,salt,sugar, coffee, noodles, oil …..etc. and brought them back to the community. Needless to say, they were stoked. What a great day this was. Can you imagine. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Kenny

  • This is the surrounding community. Needy and desperate.
  • The road to the property.
  • Francisco leading the way
  • Lush, shady and cool.
  • Some of the many mango trees
  • Francisco, me , two children from the community and G man our driver with some of the food and supplies. Some of the bags had already been taken away but Francisco will distribute it among the neighbors


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Back in Guatemala

April 28-29

Here we go again. Headed south down to Guatemala. The goal is to finalize the  land purchase and move forward for the refugees of this area in Escuintla.

It has been a crazy process so far and I’m not real optimistic that all’s going to be in order. But as my Haitian pastor says “God knows.” I am sure in my heart of hearts that my motives are true and correct and that this is a project that will affect many lives.

I arrived safely and as usual Dr. Kenny and Macco where there to swoop me up and get on down the road. They took me to Antigua, a cool trendy hipster town that used to be the capital years back before an earthquake destroyed it. There is a huge European influence along with expats trying dissolve from life. Hmmmmm, I personally dig the country side of Guatemalan life but it’s a cool place to visit and there is lots of history around. After the Antigua stop they took me to my hotel for some  much needed rest. Got up early and hit the road for Escuintla in hopes of getting started on the land purchase.

This is the holiday season with Holy Week and other celebrations. Today is no exception. Today is their Labor Day which means only restaurants and bars are open. All municipalities are locked up tight. Doc Kenny took me to a huge lake called Lago de Atitlan. We took a boat across the lake to some small Mayan villages that are very traditional. These are areas where the do medical missions with medical teams. It was a huge treat to see this and you can see the need.

After today we should be rolling again. I have several lawyer meetings in the city to work on legal documents for the land purchase. This has been a very different process and prayers are welcomed. Tomorrow is a new day. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Kenny

  • These two pics are of a catholic cathedral built back in the 1500’s. It was nearly destroyed by the earthquake in the 1800’s. This town was the capital city until the quake.
  • These two pics are of a catholic cathedral built back in the 1500’s. It was nearly destroyed by the earthquake in the 1800’s. This town was the capital city until the quake.
  • Lake Atitlan surrounded by non active volcanoes.
  • Coming down the mountains towards Panagachel.
  • The main road to the Mayan village of San Antonio Palopo.
  • Most women in this small community still wear the traditional and native colors. All textiles in the village, cloths and veramic ware are still made by hand. It’s a hard to reach area and the health need is great.