Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Tuesday July 21st - Ninos y Concreto

We continue to be blessed, though admittedly sore. Another fruitful day Tuesday with many children showing up for VBS and continued progress in the annex building. Had some light rain that did nothing but cool off some sweaty heads and settled the dust.

In VBS there were 200+ kids during the day. Sonia and Ellen lead them through study that provided them the breastplate of righteousness. On Monday they received the belt of truth. These children need as much protection against temptation as they can get. Chronic unemployment and poverty provide many opportunities for the young adults to stray towards an unhealthy lifestyle. By arming the children, we hope that they hear the message and can ignore that lifestyle when the time comes to make that decision. Our youth are providing the energy necessary to handle this many kids. This is no easy chore, they are relentless in the amount of attention that they want. On Friday I am sure there will be an emotional response.

The sewing center is going great. More tables were constructed to provide space to cut patterns. On Monday, our team of ladies were teaching, on Tuesday the local women were sewing for each other. Hallelujah! Even more glorious will be the fashion show that we will have Friday morning.

On the building front, we had the front sidewalk half-poured by the time we left for the day. The walls were prepped for stucco and applying the rough coat had begun by the time we had left. They were stringing lights as we were leaving. Power was dropped into the building, and the tough business of making the concrete posts "square" has continued. It is hard work chipping away at a twisted concrete post (see below). More concrete block was also installed. The tile for the floor has been delivered and I expect we will be on our knees for the next two days. Mission has a way of doing this. Every day when we leave there are 20 people still working; every day when we arrive they are already there. We are very thankful for each other.


Sorry, I could not figure out how to turn the video 90 deg.

No one from the team has gotten hurt. We had another scaffolding collapse but the young man on it escaped injury. Some scrapes and many, many blisters. Being under roof has kept us from getting seriously toasted by the sun and the occasional breeze blows through giving us new life. I think I know what that is. It does not get any better than this. And all to the glory of God.

John

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