A day we will always remember

Wow, what a day.

Monday came bright and early as we knew we had a lot of work to do before the bridge dedication ceremony at 3:30. So two teams left at 6:15 to install the bridge sections that would connect with each foundation and to tension and secure the handrail cables. These steps had to be completed early so that we could install the safety fence, paint the bridge, and do a few touch-up jobs that needed to be done.

Tensioning the handrail cables was a snap and installing the transition sections took a little longer than expected but was "no problemo." But the safety fence was a huge task that took much longer than expected. The fence is a woven wire fence that is similar to our chain link fences but using smaller wires. It came in a roll that could not be unrolled without all the wires becoming tangled together. We spent two hours or so just untangling the wires from each other before we could even begin installation. Once untangled the fence was stretched with a come-along and connected to the bridge deck and the handrail cable. Then the bridge was painted and the fencing and painting really made it look great.

Paint was still drying as the dedication ceremony began. Let me set the stage for you. A truck load of soldiers arrived early with submachine guns at the ready. They were our security guards. Wow. A sound system and loudspeaker was set up. A reporter from Chicacao Channel Seis (Channel Six) arrived early to interview the dignitaries from Chicutzan and La Cruz, the two villages who will use the bridge the most and to interview most of us too. Amy did a lot of translating for Channel Seis and may have a career in broadcasting if engineering, welding, drill press operator or her host of other talents don't work out. We took pictures early because we knew everyone there would want to walk on the bridge after the ceremony, and we would have to help limit the numbers on the bridge at any one time. Even as we were taking pictures, the people would applaud for us and show their appreciation for the work we had done. We took several pictures with the men from Chicutzan and La Cruz who helped us build the bridge. In every sense, this project was a partnership with them. A partnership in planning, in labor, in finances, and most especially in Christian spirit. They knew from the beginning that we were here to help because of our faith, and they wanted us to know that they were also believers in Jesus. All of us have had someone approach us just to say "gracias, mi hermano en Christo." So, as you say your for this group, please include Jose', Lorenzo, Omarr, Juana, Francisco, Manuel, and a host of others who have become very special friends of this group as we worked together.

The dedication ceremony (they call it the inauguration here) was attended by about 300 people. It began with a touching speech by Raphael, the head of the "Committee of Ten" which would be equivalent to our City Council. He was moved to tears as he spoke and expressed his appreciation to the group. Then Gilliam, that's me, was asked to respond, and he stole the great speech that Alan had used in church yesterday about building two bridges, one across a river and built on concrete foundations and a more important bridge that connected two groups of people and was built on the foundation of Christian love. Then Raphael announced the fireworks show, and we had a long and loud fireworks display. Presentations were made with Health Talents receiving three "diplomas" from the community for initiating this project. David Fann accepted a beautiful painting showing our team working on a partially constructed bridge. There was a prayer that was very moving and the Guatemalan people spoke their agreement with what was being said in the prayer almost continually much as we would do by saying Amen. At the finale' of the ceremony, ten young men from Chicutzan and La Cruz, who had been waiting on the other side of the river walked across the bridge to the applause of everyone there. Our applause was also due to the fact that there were only 10 of them. The bridge will eventually hold more, but the concrete poured since we arrived has not fully cured yet, and 10 was a good limit until that happens. After they walked over, the Committee of Ten walked across and once again every one applauded (we were applauding that it was not a committee of 20). The women were invited to walk across, and then the dam burst open as the children were invited to walk across. It seemed that 200 children were scrambling to be the first one across. We had to set up gatekeepers to limit the numbers at any one time. They walked, ran, hopped, skipped and jumped across. Several would go to the middle and just stand there. This went on for at least an hour and a half with several kids making 5, 10 or more trips. We have built a bridge for the adults of these two villages and a great amusement park ride for the children. They walked with Amy, Rachel, Rebecca, Heidi, Caleb, Aaron, and anyone else who would walk with them. We love these kids. As we try to become like Christ, these children will be our model for the qualities for which we should strive.

By the way, we all were asked for autographs by the kids today. That's a first for this bunch I expect.

Then we came home, had dinner, showers, a devotional and now bed. It was a day we will long remember. Thanks to all of you who have supported us with prayers, encouragement and financially. You have made this day one we will remember for the rest of our lives. God bless you all.

Federico Gilliam