We put the roofs onto the two houses that were built. One of them will be used for a shared kitchen for a group of familes. the other is an addition to a house and will be used for a place for medical care for a lady needing special care. The second was a bit of a challenge since it was added to the adjacent wall which was rather aged cinder blocks so any screws would not bit into the material it would just disentegrate. So we ended up chopping into the blocks and inserting the rafters. That took a bit longer than anticipated but we finished up both roofs. Tomorrow all that is left is to go back over to the church building and set the benches back on the floor, stain and varnish the doors and frames and do a little touchup on the floor paint.
It was really interesting to drive through the orange groves which stretch for miles. We took a little different route home so we were really up close and personal going through the groves on a small dirt road. most roads are dirt with potholes that make Minnesota washboard seem smooth. The Chevy van is getting a good workout, but is doing the job very well.
Now we are beginning the wind down and contemplated having the temperature go down, and return to our normal worlds.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Home Visits in Hualahuises
Greetings to you all. As I have not been reading these updates, I have no idea how it has been done. So..... first I would like to say that if I had to suffer my most public embarrassing moment on this trip, it could not have been in front of (literally) a more compassionate group of guys. I am most thankful to the Lord that I was back on my feet quickly and haven't missed out on any of the adventures.
Now, on to the visits. Josiah graciously agreed to be our chauffeur, without whom we could not have made the visits. Some of the visits he was able to participate with us, others due to cultural restraints he quietly sat out in the car. What a variety of places and homes we were able to visit, from the very poor to rooms that looked as if they were out of a European decorating catalogue. We praise God for the three who prayed with Christina to receive Jesus. One is undergoing chemo treatments, one was her friend who "just happened" to be there, and the last was an older woman (83) who is also battling cancer but not undergoing treatment. Watching Christina minister to these women has been amazing. She is so able to tenderly prod them with questions and gently lead them to the Lord. We rejoice over their decisions and the knowledge that they will be nurtured and encouraged in their walk with the Lord. We have not been able to see as many widows as we might have at a dinner but we have been able to give 8 or 9 of them individual hugs and encouragement.
posted by Kerry
Now, on to the visits. Josiah graciously agreed to be our chauffeur, without whom we could not have made the visits. Some of the visits he was able to participate with us, others due to cultural restraints he quietly sat out in the car. What a variety of places and homes we were able to visit, from the very poor to rooms that looked as if they were out of a European decorating catalogue. We praise God for the three who prayed with Christina to receive Jesus. One is undergoing chemo treatments, one was her friend who "just happened" to be there, and the last was an older woman (83) who is also battling cancer but not undergoing treatment. Watching Christina minister to these women has been amazing. She is so able to tenderly prod them with questions and gently lead them to the Lord. We rejoice over their decisions and the knowledge that they will be nurtured and encouraged in their walk with the Lord. We have not been able to see as many widows as we might have at a dinner but we have been able to give 8 or 9 of them individual hugs and encouragement.
posted by Kerry
Thursday at Vista Hermosa
On the way to Mr. DeHoyos's we saw an amazing mountain scene. Everything was cloudy and dark. It was like everything was dark but you could see a beautiful mountain scene clearly and brightly lit in the distance. Jason shared during devotions from 2 Timothy 4 about being ready to share the gospel in season and out of season.
Today most of the gang went to the church in Vista Hermosa to finish most of the remaining work. The front and side of the outside of the church were painted. Some outside remaining window frames were finished. Door frames and space above the door were closed up. Major gaps in the inside windows were filled with foam. All the major benches were hung from the ceiling of the church and painted brown. The rooms and remaining floor was power washed to clean the cement. The whole floor and both classrooms were painted. Minor leaks in the plumbing were fixed. It was a good day of work. One of the children helped us do all kinds of things. At the end of the day we went to his house and thanked his mother and gave him 100 pesos for his hard work. We found out that he left school early with a stomach problem so he could help us. Phil also fixed the DeHoyos's stove and made good progress on their generator.
In the evening the youngsters sounded like they had a blast playing a game called mafia. The De Hoyos had a Bible study with a couple. They also stayed for supper. Zelina has been blessing us with good cooking; Ryan will be very blessed! We talked about visiting the mountains on Saturday.
Collaborative post by Daniel and Dane, the Dynamic Duo
Today most of the gang went to the church in Vista Hermosa to finish most of the remaining work. The front and side of the outside of the church were painted. Some outside remaining window frames were finished. Door frames and space above the door were closed up. Major gaps in the inside windows were filled with foam. All the major benches were hung from the ceiling of the church and painted brown. The rooms and remaining floor was power washed to clean the cement. The whole floor and both classrooms were painted. Minor leaks in the plumbing were fixed. It was a good day of work. One of the children helped us do all kinds of things. At the end of the day we went to his house and thanked his mother and gave him 100 pesos for his hard work. We found out that he left school early with a stomach problem so he could help us. Phil also fixed the DeHoyos's stove and made good progress on their generator.
In the evening the youngsters sounded like they had a blast playing a game called mafia. The De Hoyos had a Bible study with a couple. They also stayed for supper. Zelina has been blessing us with good cooking; Ryan will be very blessed! We talked about visiting the mountains on Saturday.
Collaborative post by Daniel and Dane, the Dynamic Duo
Thursday, January 29, 2009
A Fresh Coat of Paint...
What a Wednesday! It was full, it was fun, it was fulfilling. Right after devotions at DeHoyos’, we headed off to Vista Hermosa, to work on the church. When we arrived many of us donned work gloves and started painting. Aside from a few breaks, the gloves remained in tact all day. We began by painting the window frames. Lovely frames, difficult to paint cracks, difficult to move windows, etc. all with a thick, sticky coat of white oil paint, the kind that sticks to everything and will not be removed without chemicals. After the frames, which of course took longer than expected or desired, we moved on to the front of the building. Much to our joy, this paint, while thick and sticky, was latex! It would wash off! The stucco on the outside of the building soaks up the paint like a sponge, and getting it into all the holes let to a motto for those of us painting, “No hole left behind!” However, once the outside of the building was done, we were by no means done painting. The windows were ready for a second coat of paint, back to the oil based. Then we discovered we had one more room to paint, once again back to latex paint.
Throughout this whole painting experience, the guys helped us some, trimmed the doors, finished the bathroom plumbing, washed the floor to prepare it for painting, and finished up many odd jobs and details. Once the bathroom plumbing was done, Breezy and I made the best fifty cent purchase of our lives! We walked to the tiny store on the corner and bought a bar of soap - we can now actually WASH our hands instead of slathering hand sanitizer on all day! We were thrilled.
When things were pretty well wrapped up, a competition started. We had several brooms to sweep the building and several of the guys and other kids began practicing balancing the broom handles on the palms of their hands. Once most of them had the hang of it, they began having races, if you lost the broom you had to start over.
Then it was time for the church service. Changing into non-painted clothes, we tried to freshen up and prepare for it. After singing a few songs several of us girls went into a back room with all the kids. There we told the story of Daniel in the lions den, David and Goliath, and at the end handed out glow sticks, which were a major hit. Daniel Miller shared with the adults, Josue translating.
Once the church service was over, we headed back to DeHoyos’ for a very late, but fabulous dinner. It was also Jason Lee’s birthday. So we sang happy birthday, attempted to say a Mexican birthday chant, tried to sing happy birthday in Spanish, and for a final number, Zelina and Kriss whistled happy birthday, harmonizing! Then we ate cake, and Jason experienced yet another Mexican tradition. Josue brought a piece of cake, and calmly told us all that this was tradition, and we were all to wish Jason many blessings, and Jason was supposed to take a bite. Then without missing a beat, he smashed and smeared the cake all over his face!! It was hilarious, and a very memorable moment. After enjoying the cake, we realized how late it was and headed off to the hotel to fall into bed.
~Jeanie
Throughout this whole painting experience, the guys helped us some, trimmed the doors, finished the bathroom plumbing, washed the floor to prepare it for painting, and finished up many odd jobs and details. Once the bathroom plumbing was done, Breezy and I made the best fifty cent purchase of our lives! We walked to the tiny store on the corner and bought a bar of soap - we can now actually WASH our hands instead of slathering hand sanitizer on all day! We were thrilled.
When things were pretty well wrapped up, a competition started. We had several brooms to sweep the building and several of the guys and other kids began practicing balancing the broom handles on the palms of their hands. Once most of them had the hang of it, they began having races, if you lost the broom you had to start over.
Then it was time for the church service. Changing into non-painted clothes, we tried to freshen up and prepare for it. After singing a few songs several of us girls went into a back room with all the kids. There we told the story of Daniel in the lions den, David and Goliath, and at the end handed out glow sticks, which were a major hit. Daniel Miller shared with the adults, Josue translating.
Once the church service was over, we headed back to DeHoyos’ for a very late, but fabulous dinner. It was also Jason Lee’s birthday. So we sang happy birthday, attempted to say a Mexican birthday chant, tried to sing happy birthday in Spanish, and for a final number, Zelina and Kriss whistled happy birthday, harmonizing! Then we ate cake, and Jason experienced yet another Mexican tradition. Josue brought a piece of cake, and calmly told us all that this was tradition, and we were all to wish Jason many blessings, and Jason was supposed to take a bite. Then without missing a beat, he smashed and smeared the cake all over his face!! It was hilarious, and a very memorable moment. After enjoying the cake, we realized how late it was and headed off to the hotel to fall into bed.
~Jeanie
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
The Real Cookie Monsters REVEALED
Thank you all for you loyal support in voting for me. It was an honor to run as the representative of all good cookie monstors. HOWEVER, I regret to inform you that I am not the biggest thief of the cookies. It has turned out that while I snagged a mere three cookies from the kitchen, it was Dickmar and Josue that ate nearly a whole bowl between Sunday and Tuesday. The ladies went to pack up the cookies to bring for the meal at Vista Hermosa only to discover that all but three cookies had been eaten from one of the bowls! Please pray that they will come to repentance. :-)
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