Day 3
Ouch. Well I was introduced to an old enemy today no it is not the Devil but it is definently a tool straight from you know where. It is called the tamper. It is a tool that we use to tamp down dirt before we pour the concrete floors of the houses we are building. It is about 15 pounds of steel with a flt bottom that you just lift straight up and slam to the ground over and over and over. We poured the floor foranother house today I got some great pictures of the family we built the house for. They were so excited the kiids hung around the house all day and played. Their current house has a rubber tarp on the floor and I cannot help but think about how excited they must be to get a concrete floor. Their are three kids and the mom all living together in one room.
After those floors we dug more trenches and this time we found the rocks not so much fun. We dug these for all the plumbing for huge addition to the Casa B clinic. Trenches had to be 24 inches deep and we probably dug 150 feet of them.
The highlight of my day and maybe this trip was this evening and a celebration taking place across the city. I am not sure what it is called but all the churches have some services and then parade to a larger central church. Now this is not the normal US parade this is mostly on foot. Well except for the band playing out of the bed of the pickup truck. Oh yeah that was a sight. The services started around 5 with some high school kids beating on drums. They were joined by other kids dressed in some kind indian catholic outfits. They would dance to the drums and the drums were to call all the people from around over to the church. There they took the statue of Jesus out of the church and began a parade tocarry it on a platform. There were tons of peoplefrom all around and I walked down and started talking to a few men he was telling me something in spanish that I did not understand completwly but I know he was talking about God and I think about what a great night it was. On accident I mispoke and told him I did not really understand and that my English was not so good. We all got a good laugh about that. What great people to have so much fun and happiness in such a difficult place.
We cooked a great dinner tongiht and we are working a halfday tomorrow but still more concrete work ahead. I a$ gettting a pretty good blister Iand my hand amd I hope it holds up tomorrow. I got some great kid pictures today anmd hope I can play a little more. I love giving the kids rides in the wheelbarrow they just love it.
I am going to turn in tongiht as I listen to Renfro my roommates snore. I am so thankful for him and his friendship. He used to sell advertising to me many years ago and he is one of the major reasons my faith is where it is today. He taught me that you could share faith in the workplace. Our devotional tonight was on shining your light and I can’t help but think as I type this that God has been speaking to me about this for many years and I have not heard him. One of Becks favorite songs has always been the song about not hiding you light under a basket. Guess it is time we all tried to remember to get rid of that basket and share some of the love and grace. .the grace is my favritwe part. Especially when I have met guys like Z who shares that so freely and with so many. What a gift
I hope everyone has a great day tomorrow and remeber to let that light shine a bit more tomorrow. You never know who may need it.
Headed back tomorrow can’t wait to see Jeannie and the kids. Love to you all
Jiame