Trip 1 Day 2

 Day 2 of house building has completed and I can’t believe how much has already been accomplished! From having only a foundation in the morning to laying 6 layers of cinder blocks, it’s easy to tell that all our hard work is paying off.  Together the Clemson students, Scranton students, Guatemalan workers, and families have become one huge family, constantly cracking jokes and enjoying each other’s company while doing something that will truly change the family’s life.  Serving for and with others is one of the Jesuit ideals that has shown through on this service trip.  The project would be impossible without the outstanding team work that we demonstrate.  At many points of the day I find myself in an assembly line passing buckets of concrete or cinder blocks.  Clearly we are serving FOR others by building a house for a family in need, but serving WITH others is what makes this trip special.  Without the help of my fellow students and the Guatemalan workers, there would be no way to finish a house in only 5 days.  My favorite part of today was spending time with the children (ranging in ages 2-5) of our family.  Yesterday the children were more reserved and didn’t really want to interact with us because we were essentially strangers intruding on their space, but today was a whole different story!  The children warmed up to us after lunch and even had a dance party with me and some other students!  They loved to show off their dance moves and then laugh hysterically at our attempt to dance.   It’s awesome to see how happy and cheerful the children are despite their less than ideal living situation.  Even though we are helping them out by giving them a safe and sturdy house to live in, I feel that I have already gained even more in return through observing their lives.  My hope for the rest of this week is to continue to work towards completing the house, but also to be present with the family and leave an impact on their life, even if it is as small as the memory of a silly dance party!

            -Margaret Mester

My favorite quote from Mother Theresa is, “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” This quote is beautiful and so true because it genuinely symbolizes the ideal of what doing service for and with others is all about. When you think of doing service, it is not only about helping others, it is about something so much bigger. That is, forming a deeper connection with one another. Not only making it about the “work” but making it about the connection and spiritual bond between one another. We were accepted into these two families' homes from the beginning and it just exemplifies the idea that we are one- all children of God. We felt very welcomed from the start and that made this experience so much more enjoyable and easier to connect with the families on a more personal level. We are the ones truly getting the most out of this experience because the Guatemalans are teaching us so much and the idea of how you could have so little, yet be so happy. It's incredible how much happiness surrounds the people here. The Guatemalans are centered around their family and the idea of unconditional love. I think it is so beautiful to see a mother caring for her children and having a constant smile on her face while doing so. I truly saw unconditional love here between the mother and her children. This idea of unity and family is so special and it makes me appreciate everything I have including my beautiful family. I think we have learned a lot throughout the past few days especially how blessed we all are.

I was really impressed by the technique and plan the workers formulated in order to build these houses. It was so interesting to see all of the small details that goes into building that you don't even realize until you take part in it. The Guatemalan workers are extremely hard working and it constantly motivates us to keep going and inspires our work ethic. Not once did I see one of the workers complain or stop when they were tired; they just kept going and working even harder than before. It was truly amazing to see. Throughout the day we were able to play with the kids and that was so awesome because they instantly put huge smiles on everyone's faces. The children are so happy and love to smile and laugh. I've never seen God so much then in the eyes of these beautiful and innocent children. I am really excited to see what the rest of this service trip has in store for us. “Expect the unexpected.” –Taylor Ricciardi