Wow! We had a wonderful day today. We went to build houses again and to finish some of the others that were ready after the concrete had been done. Jodi Wilkerson, Jody Odom, Nathan Armstrong, and Tena Hovel worked on concrete all morning finishing three. Craig & Sherry Walker, John Bass, Jessica Bass, Adam Gully, Emily Hughes, & Ryan King challenged the others, saying they could build two houses and all the others would only have to build one. They definitely did a great job (although I know others helped) so they rightly deserve their dues. They finished everything up to the concrete stage and making one door and window.
The team I was on built a house for a very nice young couple with four children. I enjoyed having some fun with them, clowning around and acting like a “goofy gringo”. I was extremely please as no one on that team was an experienced builder; yet, I felt like the house was one of the best that I ever saw built. It was actually level too! Half of the team were from Canada so it was interesting to work with them and “interpret” what they were saying and I know they were having fun laughing at us with our “southern slang”. Of course, everyone was making fun of me (a Yankee grafted into the South) and my words like “roof”, and “root”. I still don’t know why…I can’t help it if everyone else say their words wrong!
Our goal was to finish building the framework of the last three houses by noon and to do the concrete in three others but it was more like 1:30 p.m. before we quit. (We might have made it had we not stopped on the way for a Magnum Bar graciously purchased by one of our group members.) Sooo good! Anyhow, we left the worksites and went to the Maxi Bodega and everyone had their choice of lunch. From there, we went back to the mission house and prepared food and clothes for distribution. We left at about 3:30 p.m. going up, up, up to a town called Comolapa. They had a beautiful church building (being renovated) with some of the best artistry on the walls I’ve ever seen in Guatemala. The main doors were beautifully hand carved. We fed 100 families (thanks to those who donated to GRACE ministries) and passed out clothing, toys, and candy to the less fortunate. It was again a very moving experience with many tears being shed afterwards. The ladies of the church made little handmade table napkins, gave a can of coke, a package of crackers, and many hugs and kisses to our folks for giving so generously.
Tonight is pizza night and we were running late getting back to the mission house to pay the pizza ticket. Derrick suggested that he and I take off and hurry to the mission house to pay the bill. After thinking about Derrick’s driving, my car sickness, and the word “hurry”, I felt lead to give him the money and let him “hurry” back on his own! We all made it back safely and had a great time of pizza.
I tried to get on the internet and do today’s blog, but was unsuccessful. What you are reading is an entry made on Friday with the hopes of placing it on the website when it comes back up. It was a very good day.
I forgot to mention that Ryan King, assistant youth minister, from MRBC shared a devotion this morning. I really appreciate Ryan for assisting us in our music as well as all the others from MRBC and the great spirit in which they have conducted themselves this week. They have added so much to the success of this week’s ministry.
We were very saddened to here that Christine Leasure, a dear and faithful church member, passed away. Our love and prayers to Bro. Jack and family.
Bro. Jerry
