Stephanie and Johnatan live with their seven-year-old son, Jonathan Daniel on the outskirts of the city of Quetzaltenango. Stephanie is a cashier and Johnathan is a food delivery driver.

When asked why they wanted a house of their own, Stephanie shares, “renting felt like an illusion.” Their former house had structural problems, noise from the street below and from neighbors on both sides and above. They had a dog in one place and once they decided to move, it was hard to find a place to rent with a dog. The couple ultimately decided they wanted a place they could call their own and live together as a family; a place that was stable and that they could make their own after five years of renting.

Having her new home feels like a dream come true, “there is space, I like the tranquility. The only noise I hear is if someone or an animal pass by.”  Her favorite part of the house is the front where there is nature, fields of crops growing, and a small view of the mountain.

She remembers the visitors well and still has the video that was taken. “Elastic was the name of the group; they were a software company and they shared a video of the process” she says with a smile.

To the group she says: “the house was built quickly because you came. It’s wonderful, now we can afford our monthly expenses without having to pay a high rent. You have helped us. It is important and I cannot say it enough, a thousand thank you’s to everyone who came. thank you for coming to this town and for your help to other families here.”

Silvia, her adult daughters, Argentina and Arlen and their children Gregory (19), Anthony (19), Cathy(19), Marla (16) and Payton (7) live in the town of San Juan Ostuncalco. We met with Argentina who shared with us how the family is doing since the recent build. “We had been praying that God would provide a way for us to build a house because a lot of water would get into the old house and it was in disrepair.” “God gave us this blessing, we didn’t think, or imagine that this would be the result of that prayer.”

Argentina walks us through each room of the house, and it’s beautiful from the cedar panel finishing on the roof to the children’s individually decorated rooms, it is obvious that the family is proud to have such a lovely home. “The children are young adults and need their own space now, Gregory and Anthony share a room, Marla and Payton have a room, Arlen and her daughter Cathy share a room and Argentina shares a room with her mother, Silvia—everyone fits. For the kitchen space, they still use the kitchen in the old house, which is just 3 meters from the back door, and hope to add a kitchen to the new space in time.

To the volunteers who came, Argentina says, “thank you, we really pray that God would bless you. The word of God says that if it’s even a glass of cold water you give to the least of these that God would bless you. You came from far to do this work and to help us and it was a great help. We know you care for us in a special way and we are very happy to have your love and friendship.”

Sheila, her husband Jorge and son, Alexis (4) live in Baja Vera Paz. Jorge is a distributor, and she is a homemaker, taking care of Alexis during the day.

The couple have been in their current Habitat home for a year now. The house sits adjacent to the home of Sheila’s mother. Prior to building their home, the family was renting and when Sheila and Jorge found the program through Habitat, it was Sheila’s mother who gifted her a plot of land so they could build their home.

Sheila shares, “we really wanted this home because we wanted to put our money into something that is ours, rather than using that money to pay rent for a house that would never be our own.” It is apparent how Sheila feels. When asked, “how do you feel having your own house?” She responds, “staying in a house that is not your own is not the same, now we feel so happy! We are so grateful to God for my mom and for the opportunity to build with Habitat because now what we have is truly our own.”

When asked about her plans for the home, she says: “We’re thinking about fencing the house, but much later, for now we are just enjoying it, I love everything about this house, it is ours, and here I am very happy.”

Of the group of volunteers, Sheila remembers, “they were very kind, helpful and did not hesitate to help and work alongside my family and the builders.” Sheila still has a photo of the group and shares, “I’m so grateful to know you, for the company that you came and gave and for your friendship, to come so far and to help us here in Guatemala. We care so much for you all and hope you are very well.”