Just thought I would lead off with important things first. After a couple days of people feeling a bit under the weather we are finally up to full strength. Thanks to all who have been praying for us. We are moving on toward completing our tasks.
I'll try to explain what we've been doing as far as work crews are concerned, but I won't have a lot of specifics for some jobs since I am only at some of the sites.
First, there was an issue of the house our children's ministry was collecting money to supply with a water heater. Our advance team came and surveyed the job. They determined that there was no use installing a water heater into a house that would fall down after the leaky roof rotted it away...it also didn't have utilities yet. So one team has spent a day and a half sealing a roof. Don't worry about the water heater, it is being stored in a safe place for a future group to install. That is the beautiful thing about mission trips like this...there are always things to do. And Matt did explain that we would need to be flexible.
Next, there was another gentleman who needed a porch to be built on his house. Groups of youth have gone out to help build this and, following the digging that the advance team completed, it sounds like it should get finished by Thursday.
Here at the mission grounds there have been several jobs happening simultaneously. The women's bathroom in the dorm needed a lot of help. The celling needed to be repaired with plaster and then sanded. It was dusty work but it looks like it will be ready to paint today.
There was a room that had water damage and needed to be scrubbed down to eradicate the mold. Not only did these kids look great in their protective masks, they finished the job and already painted two coats to complete the room.
Then there was the Christian ministries room. This room was in sad shape. The celling was coming down and one wall had extensive plaster repair needed both due to a leaky roof. Additionally, there were four holes in two of the walls, and it seemed to be used as a storage area for past construction jobs. This was a busy hive of activity. The water damage has been scrapped off and patched, the holes have been filled, and all the construction debris is gone. It may very well look like a room before too long. This was where I was supposed to be leading the charge. Luckily I had more than enough help and I (unofficially) turned over my leader hat to people who were VASTLY more qualified than me.
While that was going on there were other less extensive but equally important jobs going on. Shrubbery from the front of the pastors house was cleared and readied to be hauled away. Weeds were pulled. Computers were moved. And we even had a few volunteers stay back to help with cooking for our very hungry crew.
I even took a look at Pastor Audrey's computer in her office. Apparently she hadn't had internet for months due to a storm that played havoc with the electrical system. I was able to get her up and running when all of a sudden...snap...all of the internet was down for the whole mission. In my best Steve Urkle voice, "Did I do that?" Luckily, no. We have been having a large amount of wind so I'm hopeful that it will be repaired soon and they don't lock me in the van where I can do no more harm. :-)
We celebrated a worship service in Navajo. One of the ruling elders of the church, Custer, led the service and greeted us all from the bottom of his heart. He, on behalf of all of the church and the elders, accepted our monetary gift from the church, along with a blanket decorated with the ten commandments.
Following their service we continued our series of Love is...sacrificial. Mark led our chapel time talking about sacrifice that others have made. He talked about how everyone here had made some sort of sacrifice by giving up a week of free time from school to come here. Some have even had to do school while here since their schedules didn't align with our trip, but also how our sacrifice pales in comparison to God's sacrifice of his son.
The "common room" (the place where we can all meet together) seemed a little subdued last night. I think the hard work, the physical exertion, and the good food have made us all ready for nice long naps. I am so happy to be here with these awesome people. Now it's time to get to work on Thursday...we are almost done here and it will be sad to leave.
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