As we were packing to come here, there were only about 6 or 7 pairs of shoes and I just felt the need to make sure they made it into one of the bins. On Sunday as we were meeting the families and getting their stories Paula the woman that would be receiving the house said she had a cut on her foot that was making it difficult for her to walk. We didn't have any supplies with us so I told her to find me the next day and I would have a look at it. Monday came and I was able clean and dress her wound it looked much better after,but after walking in the dirt all day in a pair of ill fitting sandals it looked aweful again. I changed and cleaned it again before we left. We got back to the hotel and I couldn't stop thinking about it. I remembered packing the shoes, we found a pair of ladies sandals that would be better than the ones she had but not optimal and a pair of running shoes. Next day we went back and I was able to wash her foot and dress it. When I put the shoes on they fit perfect.
To my shame, I often brush God moments away to circumstance,but this was a moment only God could orchestrate. I was reminded again that God is so good he provides what we need not necessarily when we want it, but when we need it.
Karen
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Go Diego Go!
It seems that at every site, there's at least one young man that has a certain spark. Today there was a young man (17 years old), who was showing interest in what we were doing as Nick and I were doing some assembly work on a house-part.
We encouraged him to take hold of the power tin-snips we were using and give them a try but he shyly refused - but stayed to help us with holding materials that needed holding. Later on, as it came time to put the roof together on the house, I found Diego and encouraged him (with the help of a translator) to take part with me up on the roof using an impact-drill to put the roof together. With the help of our translator (Gustavo) up on the roof, Diego was soon in a rhythm and working away with confidence and pride in his work and I was able to step back and let him finish the job. It was great!
Nick and I made a point to find Diego again when we were done there today, and with Gustavo's help, we let him know that we appreciated his great help, are proud of the work he had done, and his willingness to try something new. His Dad beamed with pride as he watched his son become one of our team like that.
Please pray with us that the Lord will continue a work in Diego's life and draw him close to Himself and build him up into a Godly leader in his community.
Go Diego Go! (I know, it's lame - but the song is playing in my head!)
Matt
We encouraged him to take hold of the power tin-snips we were using and give them a try but he shyly refused - but stayed to help us with holding materials that needed holding. Later on, as it came time to put the roof together on the house, I found Diego and encouraged him (with the help of a translator) to take part with me up on the roof using an impact-drill to put the roof together. With the help of our translator (Gustavo) up on the roof, Diego was soon in a rhythm and working away with confidence and pride in his work and I was able to step back and let him finish the job. It was great!
Nick and I made a point to find Diego again when we were done there today, and with Gustavo's help, we let him know that we appreciated his great help, are proud of the work he had done, and his willingness to try something new. His Dad beamed with pride as he watched his son become one of our team like that.
Please pray with us that the Lord will continue a work in Diego's life and draw him close to Himself and build him up into a Godly leader in his community.
Go Diego Go! (I know, it's lame - but the song is playing in my head!)
Matt
Christmas
Our houses are built but we have many things left to do. Tomorrow we hope to go to a seniors home to do a christmas craft. Speaking of christmas, a lot of house have artificial christmas trees inside. It is hard to believe it is christmas when the temperature is so hot. The park in the centre of town is also decorated with christmas light.
Thanks to everyone for your prayers they are felt down here.
Julia
Thanks to everyone for your prayers they are felt down here.
Julia
Just a quick prayer request
Hello! Just a quick note because we are heading out very soon: We are heading out to a church service and Jay and Albert will be sharing some of their personal stories about the wonderful reality of Christ in their lives.
I just know that God has a special plan in place for this and has just the right people (or person) gathered to hear just what is going to be said. Even though I may never get to see the rest of the story unfold in lives here after we leave - I am excited! Let's pray that Jay and Albert will be excited and at peace as we all commit this into God's hands.
Matt
I just know that God has a special plan in place for this and has just the right people (or person) gathered to hear just what is going to be said. Even though I may never get to see the rest of the story unfold in lives here after we leave - I am excited! Let's pray that Jay and Albert will be excited and at peace as we all commit this into God's hands.
Matt
something in common
First of all I would like to thank all the people who have supported myself and the team. As I sit here this morning I have come to the realization that I have a lot in common with the villagers.
I was raised in a single home by a loving mother who also didn't have much money by North American standards. My family and I lived on welfare. When I look back on my childhood I realize that my mom had done the best she could being a single parent. This is just like the families here they are doing the best they can with what they have and are happy. To see this and realize that not only are we making a difference in their lives by giving them shelter. But they are making a difference in our lives.
Yesterday when we played soccer with the kids from the village. Of course loosing just like the men's national team does to El Salvador. Just to see that all the kids with priceless smiles as they were schooling us old guys made it all the worth it.
Today looks to be the Last building day for us. I look forward to seeing what God has in store for us today.
God Bless
Jason
I was raised in a single home by a loving mother who also didn't have much money by North American standards. My family and I lived on welfare. When I look back on my childhood I realize that my mom had done the best she could being a single parent. This is just like the families here they are doing the best they can with what they have and are happy. To see this and realize that not only are we making a difference in their lives by giving them shelter. But they are making a difference in our lives.
Yesterday when we played soccer with the kids from the village. Of course loosing just like the men's national team does to El Salvador. Just to see that all the kids with priceless smiles as they were schooling us old guys made it all the worth it.
Today looks to be the Last building day for us. I look forward to seeing what God has in store for us today.
God Bless
Jason
Messy
I had another day of not-so-much hands-on homebuilding. We built 2 houses today (Tuesday). I put in a few screws, dug some dirt, and moved some metal from place-to-place. However, I spent the majority of my time with kids today - teaching them some hands-on drilling, playing Frisbee and Soccer and crafts ... That reminds me, I made a few Frisbee tosses back and forth also with a few interested civil-crew construction workers who were hand-digging and laying PVC pipe underground nearby today - and I thought it interesting that two of the three guys wore steel-toed boots and one of them was in bare feet as he worked, at least part of the time...It was a strange thing to see. Like, can an you imagine seeing that in Sarnia!? Anyway, I digress...
I see kids here that remind me of each of my kids and besides making me miss each of them (I miss you Ben, Rachel, Abby and Eden!), it makes me stop and think about what it would be like if they (or our whole family) were "born" in the circumstances that we see here....It's a striking thought. During tonight's team debrief, at least one other of our team members mentioned experiencing this kind of thought too. For me personally, it's complicated - part sadness, part...wonder, part...love, part...compassion, part...thankfulness, part...guilt, part...anticipation (what's that about!?). Anyway, I don't know really what it all is - it's all...messy! Upon return home, even after having time to "process", words will always feel inadequate to express the experience here. I think I can say this: Something inside me will never be the same, and is changed (and is changing) - for the better and for God's glory - but I don't see or understand what that entails at this point.
Thank you for your continued prayers for all of us!
Matt
I see kids here that remind me of each of my kids and besides making me miss each of them (I miss you Ben, Rachel, Abby and Eden!), it makes me stop and think about what it would be like if they (or our whole family) were "born" in the circumstances that we see here....It's a striking thought. During tonight's team debrief, at least one other of our team members mentioned experiencing this kind of thought too. For me personally, it's complicated - part sadness, part...wonder, part...love, part...compassion, part...thankfulness, part...guilt, part...anticipation (what's that about!?). Anyway, I don't know really what it all is - it's all...messy! Upon return home, even after having time to "process", words will always feel inadequate to express the experience here. I think I can say this: Something inside me will never be the same, and is changed (and is changing) - for the better and for God's glory - but I don't see or understand what that entails at this point.
Thank you for your continued prayers for all of us!
Matt
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