claro lopez

UPDATE: Since completing this home, Claro Lopez has passed away. After living in his new home less than 2 months, he died peacefully in his sleep. Read a blog posting regarding Claro HERE.

Claro is an elderly man who has lived a long difficult life. All of his life he has lived in a cornstalk home, suffering from illnesses associated with inhaling smoke from a woodburning fire that burned right next to his bed. He also faces challenges with the dust, cold, and lack of food.

Claro's nephew approached us one day, asking if we may be willing to help out his uncle. From the time we met Claro, we knew we needed to do something to help.

Now that Claro's new home is complete, he has invited his son, daughter in-law, and grand-daughter to live with him in his new home. He is a kind and loving man, and expresses his gratitude everytime we see him. In fact, he has continued to help out at the jobsites for the homes being built after his home was complete.

It has been such a great joy to meet Claro and serve him. The 12x12 project has changed his life forever.

We were told about claro from his nephew victor who said his uncle is badly in need of a new home. We met claro, spent time with him in his new home, and felt right away that this would be our next family to build for. Claro is 65 years old (looks 85) and has had a difficult life. His home is made of cornstalk, tarp, and some tin. inside it is a rather sad environment. The smoke from the fire is thick and the dirt floors create a constant circulation of dust. Claro has 2 shirts and 2 pairs of pants. he has a couple dishes for beans and rice which are filthy with dirt.

He has a son named Geraldo (20yrs old), who is married with a daughter. Geraldo's family lives with his mother in-law, and some nights he brings dinner down the hill to claro. After geraldo tucks in his wife and daughter, he comes down to sleep with his dad and look out for him. They share a twin bed.

We are very excited to bless claro, an aging man who has lived a long and strenuous life in poverty. He has already outlived the average life expectancy in Guatemala. Statistically, he will not live much longer, but he will finish this life in a respectable home with something to take a little pride in. His son, daughter in-law, and granddaughter will move in with him, which he says is what he's always wanted and his challenges with dust and the cold will improve dramatically.

Most importantly, pray he will see Jesus through the men and women (journey, our family, the construction team, etc.) who are delivering a this gift directly from the Father. May he know that he is loved by the KING and we, as his church, in this case are simply delivery-men...delivering a gift that is from Him. Lets pray for him that he may finish his life strong - not only physically but spiritually as well. Pray that this process awakens him to a new level of faith, of grace, and of love for Jesus.