26

 The first year we came, we struggled to build 4 houses. This morning we finished the last of 26 houses! 

26 families will be living in safe, secure and dry homes this Christmas. For most it will be the first time they have ever experienced these qualities that most of us take for granted. 

As our diverse yet united team shared tonight, we have so much to be thankful for. We have been humbled by the dignity, contentment and faith of the families with whom we have served. We have been blessed. We are blessed. 

Their lives have changed and so have ours. 

25 people from Ontario: 1 from Mississauga, 3 from the Ottawa area, 4 from Sarnia and 17 from Plattsville - together with Shelter staff, WGM staff and an incredible number of community members along with 26 families  some way, some how the Lord united us all, providing for all our needs and infusing our lives with Hope  

Amazing Grace

We are on our final build day. So far our team of 25 has built 24 homes. The recurring sentiment from the families is one of deep gratitude. Despite their living situations and lack of income/resources, the El Salvadoran families have taught us how resourceful they are. They have faced much adversity and still their countenance is one of JOY.


Last night while I was sleeping , the Lord provided a picture to me of a broken chain which was accompanied by the Hymn, Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone). I pondered on this the whole night.


[Verse 3]
The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures

[Chorus]
My chains are gone, I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, amazing grace


It reminded me of one of the home owners, Dasye. She shared that she had been praying for years in Jesus’ name for a new home. She said to us “When I ask the Lord for things in faith, then I believe that God will bring the miracle. You need to ask in God’s name.”

We all need to believe and ask for things in Jesus Name! God is faithful and so we must be, too.


Sheema

Fathers

 At the end of today 24 families have participated in building 24 homes. Each home is the product of the love of God being displayed through generous donations of many people as well as the sacrifices of time, energy and comfort from 25 team members (and their families). 

In both of our team builds today we were humbled and amazed by the steady and loving presence of the father on each home. So often we find heart wrenching stories where moms are raising their children alone, often abandoned. Today was different. 

Edilberto is a single father of a beautiful 19 year old daughter. His wife left them for another man many years ago. The two them work hard together and they participate regularly ( 3 times a week) at their local church. His greatest desire is that his daughter would follow the way of Jesus all the days of her life. When asked about an important verse from the Bible, he shared from Revelation 21 - about the fullness of God’s presence and fulfillment of His promises for those whose names are found in the book of life. And then he prayed a prayer of blessing on our team, our families and our church communities.

The second father, Luis, is father to 5 engaging children. He and his wife, Leyda, have been married for 20 years! This is rare in any culture. More than that, he spoke of his children with words of grace and empowerment. And his children demonstrated honour to back to him. He and his wife spoke of being intentional to develop a sense of unity with their family and it shows. He also modeled a humility of spirit as he acknowledged that the process of removing their old house and building a new one has deepened his relationship with God.

Good men  Good godly men who work hard and love deeply are hard to find  today we found two because of the prayer and generosity of many