Teamwork

 Today, we didn't build houses.  Today, we became tourists.  

One of the things we did was to go to 'Devil's Gate' near the capital, a newly renovated tourist attraction.  There are two assumptions tied into its formation. One folklore belief is that the devil was cornered and escaped through the rocks, making the chasm opening in the mountain. The other idea is that an earthquake years ago was so strong that it caused the mountain to split.

Looking way up, we saw extremely unlevel steps, with various riser heights, and a very steep hill. 

Challenge on! Our team started this climb of over 250 steps. The view when you got to the top lookout was beautiful.  It looked out over a lush, green valley and San Salvador. The best part was the team set the pace nice and slow.  Being the oldest on the team, I really appreciated it. I made the comment there is no 'I' in the word 'team". We worked together to make sure all 10 of us made it to the top.

Thanks to everyone at home for all your prayers. They are greatly appreciated. Tomorrow we build our last four houses.

Julia

Inspired

Reina and her family

 Today was not a build day. We took time to tour some of San Salvador, which gave me time to reflect of the last three days.  This community has been so inspiring in demonstrating their joy and their thankfulness to God.  It started from our first meeting with the table of fruit, which Deve already wrote about,  and it continued through our introductions, as each family passionately thanked God for the blessing of this house.  

Then came the demonstration of joy on our build days, as many worker joyfully joined into the build process with smiles, laughter and hardwork. The first house we built was for Gloria and Louis.  Their entire family’s smiles and joy could not be contained during our interview, and Gloria and the other women put out a great lunch for us. Normally, we would not eat their food, but this time we did. 

The enthusiasm continued on the build site as the entire community were eager to help their neighbours.  The houses flew up on day two with their efforts and we finished building both homes before lunch, which has never happened for me.  We then ended day two with an interview with Francisco and Claudia which was amazing as he passionately praised God for all of his blessings including freeing him from jail only 5 years ago. I can’t capture his entire story here but his story and desire to serve God today was inspiring.  

Tomorrow we have our last build day.  I can’t wait to work with this community again even though I will be very hot again. 

Pat

Set Free

 (Note: every Family Connection is a unique privilege and has something for us to learn about God's faithfulness, His provision and care for people. Some stories are compelling to different people for different reasons. To me, Francisco's story is one of them.)

On Sunday at the "Meet the Community" time, Francisco was there. When he spoke, it was with impassioned words of great encouragement and a humble recognition of what God was doing in their community and what he felt that God would do through our team. He owned his words and they made a significant impression, greater even than the tattoo/brand on his neck. 

Today, our team had the privilege of building his home with him.  I say this loosely, as he was already drenched in sweat by the time we arrived.  Because of the anticipated heat of the day, the community members had already dug the holes for the house and had begun assembling the frames.  It was both humbling and inspirational. Francisco was in the midst of everything that was happening.  

Our connection time with him was delayed to the afternoon and we are thankful for God's timing in this. His wife, Claudia and their granddaughter were at the hospital in San Salvador in the morning getting treatments for the little girl. We were thankful to have them return in the afternoon to sit under the makeshift roof that they have lived under for the last few weeks. 

In our conversation we asked Francisco about the reason for his zeal regarding his relationship with Jesus. He shared these key points: 

- his mom would take him to church when he was a boy. 

- At 15 or 16, like many young men his age, he decided he wanted to live a different way.

- that different way landed him in prison at 24 years old, with a 50 year sentence. 

- it was there in an overcrowded prison cell of over 20 men, that he began to think about his life, his choices and this faith that he had learned as a child.  There was a group of men in that cell, who would pray and sing songs of praise to God. One night he talked to God about changing his life and following Jesus. 

- In time to come he met Claudia (I know, in prison...weird...). She was visiting her brother. They began a friendship. And then on a granted leave from prison, they made a commitment to one another, and Claudia became pregnant, and Francisco went back to jail. 

- his new faith in Jesus, changed the way he thought, and acted, and he determined to make better choices even if his circumstances never changed. He had been set free through faith in Jesus Christ. He prayed everyday that his jail sentence could be reduced - it's a ridiculous prayer in a country that has a history of violence. He prayed anyway. He worked hard anyway. He believed that God had better days ahead. 

- 5 years ago, at the age of 48, Francisco had his sentenced reduced. He was now physically set free! He had spent 24 years in prison. It was a miracle. He had been set free at a time when the authorities were cracking down hard on gang members. It made no sense except that God had set him free to share his testimony with others. 

- Claudia, well she waited for him. She waited 19 years with their daughter! She is an amazing woman and another miracle in Francisco's life. 

- Francisco, has regular employment, with a construction company, another miracle. However, because of his tattoos still gets stopped by the Police, four times in these five years. However, each time they check his records and then set him free once again! He knows that Jesus has a greater purpose for His life! And he lives it! We asked him why his energy and enthusiasm are like he was set free last week, not five years ago. His response is that he feels God has a message for him to share, and he's been shown grace and mercy. He does not want to miss any opportunity!

Our promise to him, was that his story would be shared...would you do that?

Also, would you consider who you might pray for to be set free. Don't give up. Keep talking to Jesus about them. Keep talking to Jesus about your circumstances of life, then honour him with your thoughts and actions, even if your circumstances never change, so that you're ready when they do. That's what Francisco would want you to know. 

Deve