The full team and the family in the kitchen, next to the completed house. They made someone else take the photo and put me in it…

Nikon D7000 | AF-S 16-35mm f/4G VR | 17mm | f/4 | 1/30sec | ISO 1600

The first stove we built that week was for this family, on a kitchen built onto the outside of their house using the previous structure’s materials. Here the representative of that mission wrapping up his demonstration of how to build and use the stove.

Nikon D7000 | AF-S 16-35mm f/4G VR | 16mm | f/4 | 1/30sec | ISO 1000

The family in front of their new home after its completion.

Nikon D7000 | AF-S 16-35mm f/4G VR | SB-700 | 35mm | f/5.6 | 1/60sec | ISO 200

The real supervisors for the week - Jorge’s wife Adriana and son Santiago. Not sure which one was really in control…

Nikon D7000 | AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8G VR | 140mm | f/2.8 | 1/250sec | ISO 400

And just for the record, here is fearless leader Jeff from the 2011 mission trip to Guatemala.

Nikon D7000 | AF-S DX 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G VR | 26mm | f/4 | 1/1250sec | ISO 200

Pastor Stephen came along for this trip, instead of usual fearless leader Jeff.

Nikon D7000 | AF-S 85mm f/1.8G VR | f/2.5 | 1/1600sec | ISO 200

Home internet stopped functioning, and work has had me out in the field so my queued posts ran dry! Here is a photo of further progress on the house, after a couple days of putting up boards.

Nikon D7000 | AF-S 16-35mm f/4G VR | 16mm | f/8 | 1/80sec | ISO 400

This youth had the right idea. Mechanization!

Nikon D7000 | AF 50mm f/1.8D | f/2.8 | 1/100sec | ISO 800

Here is a side photo of someone else using a similar rig. I’ve applied this method myself, and it’s great for bulky objects that would be difficult to carry on your side / in front of you.

Nikon D7000 | AF 50mm f/1.8D | f/2 | 1/200sec | ISO 800

What we Americans in Guatemala might call hard work would be an extremely light day for these and many other Guatemalans. These men / boys cut wood in the mountains outside San Lucas Toliman, load it on their backs, and walk it back to town. Their loads can reach upwards of 100 pounds, and are carried on a simple rig which involves a cloth, plastic, or leather headband and a rope tied around the load. With practice and neck conditioning this method can be used to carry extremely heavy loads over short distances. However, this work is by no means easy or comfortable.

Nikon D7000 | AF-S 16-35mm f/4G VR | 35mm | f/5.6 | 1/320sec | ISO 100