Today was our last day in Guatemala. We’ve finished the houses, said our goodbyes to the people in the village, bought our last souvenirs, and are in the process of packing our bags. We’re ready to go home but sad to leave. This last day was devoted to the dedications for each house. We stopped at every house and gave them housewarming gifts, prayed, sang the Doxology, and took a family picture for them to keep. In celebration, we lit fireworks at each house. The boys loved to light them and dash away to safety! The families’ immense gratitude was evident through the tears shed, hugs given, and handmade gifts they offered back. At one house, the grandmother was so overwhelmed by tears that she could hardly speak. We know that these houses will not last forever. The metal will eventually rust, and the wood will slowly rot. But we are confident that our presence in the village will leave a more lasting influence. We pray that God will work in the hearts of those who are not Christians. We hope that the Christians there were encouraged to see their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ come all the way from Michigan to help. These people have left an even bigger impression on us. They are hardworking, content, and joyful for the things we consider small. We spent all week developing relationships with these families, and although we may never see them again in this life, we will never forget them. John and Susan Helmholdt