Building Hope

Here we are, day two of our trip and it was nothing short of incredible. Today was the start of our home building and everyone was bright eyed and bushy tailed this morning, ready to go and work.
When we got to the build site, Dan led us in a moving devotional which you could tell really touched everyone and started us out in a positive light. We broke into our build teams and scattered away off to our sites where we got to see the family we were building for, our builders and the community members who came together to lend a helping hand. It was truly incredible to see everyone working together so wonderfully with such unity and passion. Everyone is so hard working and dedicated, despite the blazing sun making it difficult at times but as Arie said, it’s better than snow! As the men on our site began to dig, our translator, Patricia, came to Rhonda and I to see if we would like to help Wendy, the mother of 3 receiving a home, serve breakfast to the team! Of course we did, and it was an excellent way to begin a relationship with Wendy and even the team in such a simple way (it was also really fun).
This is my first trip, so today was my first build day ever and I am no handy-lady but lucky for me, I had a lovely team helping, teaching and motivating me. I learned some new things and then got to help teach other women on our team who also have never done something like this, learn how to do it also. I was super proud of not only myself, but them. These ladies were so happy with themselves too it was hard not to be happy for them.
We had the opportunity to sit down and have a conversation with the parents as well to get to know them better and also to allow them to know us and our stories. This is the part that really got me today, since I found out I was coming on this trip at the end of August, things just never felt real. It didn’t feel real that I was coming here and going to be doing what I’m doing and so on. Obviously being here is real, but hearing their stories, seeing their faces, holding them close is what made it so real. Making such a lasting impact on a family you’ve never met before. The joy and the happiness that chokes them up or bring them to tears, only leaves you speechless and teary eyed as well. Wendy described her home as a miracle, when they went to sign up for the waitlist, she could feel it with everything in her that she would get this home. It was already hers, she declared it. Although it was a rocky path, God provided and she got her home today. I can only imagine the smiles on their faces as they lay their heads tonight knowing that they are that much more safer and secure in their new home.
This afternoon was also just as moving and enjoyable. Dolores and myself ran kids ministry with the help of Patricia and we had a great turnout! There were so many activities to be played and so much fun to have. From playing Keep Up with balloons (not letting them hit the floor) to balloon animals, bubbles and face paint, we had a lovely afternoon interacting and sharing lots of laughs and smiles with some beautiful children.
We continued our night with dinner at Stuart and Carrie’s home followed by a trip to Texaco, ending with a cold ice cream was a good way to end off the day. All in all, 12 houses were built and a magical day occured.