I will try to stay awake long enough to gather some thoughts. We had a very busy day and the conversation in the cabin is considerably lower key than last night. I think there are just a few people still managing to stay awake and talk. And there are no bursts of laughter like there were last night. Not because the mood has changed...it's just that everyone is ready to call it a night. Everyone but me that is....clickety clickety click.
The first day of the work teams is always exciting. The unknown mixed with the known, complete with a dash of the unexpected, consistently equals fun! The three projects we knew about were, tear down a building but save the lumber, move sand to a volleyball court, and repair an awning over a deck. The extra special secret job involved putting sheetrock on the ceiling of one of their cabins...including the inside of the two skylight chutes. I got to go to that one. Someone once said that I was a chameleon...able to go wherever. Compliment, Yes. Challenging, You Bet! I adopted the measure twice cut once approach...but since the nearest place to buy more sheetrock is a curvy, dirt road and forty minutes away it turned into measure six times cut once. Our team is very proud of the fact that we were able to use all of the panels we cut and there has been no unnecessary waste.
The team with the destruction is moving along nicely and that will probably end up taking the most time. The first thing they said after seeing the building that has to be taken down is, "It is much bigger than the picture." I pointed out that the picture we saw was only four inches by six inches...of course the building was going to be bigger than that! (I was met by groans...I don't know why) They have taken out all the windows, the doors, most of the roof, and all of the decorative woodwork. They are saving the best materials to be used in another location so it is not a whirlwind of crowbars and hammers. Some people suggested explosives, but Agua Viva thought that wasn't a great idea for some reason.
The team moving the sand deserves a special award in my opinion. They had to pull weeds, load sand, haul it, and then spread it around to make a smooth court for play. If you have never moved a humongous pile of sand before you should know that it is tedious back breaking work. The pile never seems to get any smaller and walking around in sand filled shoes does not sound like my idea of fun. Nevertheless this team will probably finish first. They are all hard workers.
The awning repair will probably be the only team that gives the sand team a run for their money in terms of finishing first. They have been moving along a great pace and since having sixteen foot boards fall on people's heads is not the best way to treat their campers, the staff have been at this site the most. Chuy (Pronounced Chewy...which is a nickname for Jesus) is being very patient with us as we butcher the Spanish language trying to get our questions answered. The awning is attached to the building we are sheetrocking so I get to see firsthand what is happening. My high school Spanish is slowly s-l-o-w-l-y coming back to me and I have told him that I speak it like a baby. When I fail, Liz our liaison, is right there to pick up the slack. Rich will have this job done tomorrow and he has a group of helpers that are making his job easier(?) I see nothing easy about it.
When it was time to break for lunch we all were treated to some delicious food. I still wouldn't call it "Mexican Food" yet but it was yummy! By the way, do you know what they call Mexican food in Mexico? Food. Our church, one of three who are here this week, volunteered to wash dishes. I am pretty sure the Mrs. Nusbaum was one of the volunteers. I may have to change his name back to something more dignified Dad.
Following lunch we went to our second mission for the week. In addition to building and repairing we are helping with a church plant. We drove to the new church site and were met by Eric, the pastor, and Nadia, his wife. He took us to the site of the church and explained that their first service was this Sunday while we are driving home. What struck me about the church building was the cinder block walls. They looked like very nice walls...but there was no roof attached to them. In fact there was no floor, no plumbing, no fixtures of any kind...it was a plot of land with some perimeter walls, an electrical panel, some trenches for more walls, and a very passionate pastor who was excited about the service he was planning in this community where there were many many people and no churches. He said he would most likely put up some portable shades for the service.
After the introductions we went to the soccer field across the way where Matt demonstrated that he was telling the absolute truth when he said, "In Mexico if you throw a soccer ball into a field fifty kids will show up to play." It was something to watch! Our kids played and talked with and, at times, got toyed with on the soccer field. It was like some of these kids were playing the game in slow motion. There was one boy who took off his hat so he could head the ball...then he put it back on and kept playing. Whenever the ball came my way I just stayed still and pretended I was dead...I always get soccer balls and grizzly bears mixed up.
Following the game Anton gave his testimony and we passed out snacks we had prepared for the community. Our doing this today, and the next three days, will afford Pastor Eric a chance to meet the people in his new neighborhood.
We are all looking forward to the next few days and I will try to keep you posted about all that we are doing. Know that all is well, all are healthy, and all have reasons to be proud...and for you to feel proud. If you have never worked with the youth of our church I would highly recommend it. These young people are amazing!
Good Night.
The first day of the work teams is always exciting. The unknown mixed with the known, complete with a dash of the unexpected, consistently equals fun! The three projects we knew about were, tear down a building but save the lumber, move sand to a volleyball court, and repair an awning over a deck. The extra special secret job involved putting sheetrock on the ceiling of one of their cabins...including the inside of the two skylight chutes. I got to go to that one. Someone once said that I was a chameleon...able to go wherever. Compliment, Yes. Challenging, You Bet! I adopted the measure twice cut once approach...but since the nearest place to buy more sheetrock is a curvy, dirt road and forty minutes away it turned into measure six times cut once. Our team is very proud of the fact that we were able to use all of the panels we cut and there has been no unnecessary waste.
The team with the destruction is moving along nicely and that will probably end up taking the most time. The first thing they said after seeing the building that has to be taken down is, "It is much bigger than the picture." I pointed out that the picture we saw was only four inches by six inches...of course the building was going to be bigger than that! (I was met by groans...I don't know why) They have taken out all the windows, the doors, most of the roof, and all of the decorative woodwork. They are saving the best materials to be used in another location so it is not a whirlwind of crowbars and hammers. Some people suggested explosives, but Agua Viva thought that wasn't a great idea for some reason.
The team moving the sand deserves a special award in my opinion. They had to pull weeds, load sand, haul it, and then spread it around to make a smooth court for play. If you have never moved a humongous pile of sand before you should know that it is tedious back breaking work. The pile never seems to get any smaller and walking around in sand filled shoes does not sound like my idea of fun. Nevertheless this team will probably finish first. They are all hard workers.
The awning repair will probably be the only team that gives the sand team a run for their money in terms of finishing first. They have been moving along a great pace and since having sixteen foot boards fall on people's heads is not the best way to treat their campers, the staff have been at this site the most. Chuy (Pronounced Chewy...which is a nickname for Jesus) is being very patient with us as we butcher the Spanish language trying to get our questions answered. The awning is attached to the building we are sheetrocking so I get to see firsthand what is happening. My high school Spanish is slowly s-l-o-w-l-y coming back to me and I have told him that I speak it like a baby. When I fail, Liz our liaison, is right there to pick up the slack. Rich will have this job done tomorrow and he has a group of helpers that are making his job easier(?) I see nothing easy about it.
When it was time to break for lunch we all were treated to some delicious food. I still wouldn't call it "Mexican Food" yet but it was yummy! By the way, do you know what they call Mexican food in Mexico? Food. Our church, one of three who are here this week, volunteered to wash dishes. I am pretty sure the Mrs. Nusbaum was one of the volunteers. I may have to change his name back to something more dignified Dad.
Following lunch we went to our second mission for the week. In addition to building and repairing we are helping with a church plant. We drove to the new church site and were met by Eric, the pastor, and Nadia, his wife. He took us to the site of the church and explained that their first service was this Sunday while we are driving home. What struck me about the church building was the cinder block walls. They looked like very nice walls...but there was no roof attached to them. In fact there was no floor, no plumbing, no fixtures of any kind...it was a plot of land with some perimeter walls, an electrical panel, some trenches for more walls, and a very passionate pastor who was excited about the service he was planning in this community where there were many many people and no churches. He said he would most likely put up some portable shades for the service.
After the introductions we went to the soccer field across the way where Matt demonstrated that he was telling the absolute truth when he said, "In Mexico if you throw a soccer ball into a field fifty kids will show up to play." It was something to watch! Our kids played and talked with and, at times, got toyed with on the soccer field. It was like some of these kids were playing the game in slow motion. There was one boy who took off his hat so he could head the ball...then he put it back on and kept playing. Whenever the ball came my way I just stayed still and pretended I was dead...I always get soccer balls and grizzly bears mixed up.
Following the game Anton gave his testimony and we passed out snacks we had prepared for the community. Our doing this today, and the next three days, will afford Pastor Eric a chance to meet the people in his new neighborhood.
We are all looking forward to the next few days and I will try to keep you posted about all that we are doing. Know that all is well, all are healthy, and all have reasons to be proud...and for you to feel proud. If you have never worked with the youth of our church I would highly recommend it. These young people are amazing!
Good Night.
Thanks for the updates Jeff. I miss you all. Miss being there with you. Praying for you continually.
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