Today was a little bit of insanity but it was still a blessing to be serving the families that we were building for. This is Flexico after all, the day started great with the hope of a shower, our first in 4-5 days. Each building team left their work sites about 1 1/2-2 hours later than we were supposed to, The Blue Ninjas (Brian & Bob’s building team) broke down for the 3rd time. The Pau Pau Ponchitos (the new name for Nate & Robert’s team) stayed with our stranded friends enjoying a little more time with the community they had been building in. Team Perfect (Jim & Claire’s team) started towards the showers with non adequate directions and no minutes on the cell phone to contact the rest of our teams. After we finally worked out where everyone was, got everyone showered, and a new battery for the van we headed out for some authentic tacos. We split up again to not overwhelm a taco stand with 34 people and again with some interesting directions we got a little lost only to find that the stand we were headed to was closed. So we headed to plan B, inhaled some AMAZING tacos, and got back to Servelandia 20 min after the gathering was supposed to start (with over half of the band members who are from Northshore!). It was a day of miscommunications but still a great day and we finished 3 houses and were blessed to see the blessing that those houses were for the families we worked with.
- Kate Jones
Pau Pau Ponchitos Update (Nate & Robert’s Team): Well today was eventful, and due to a lack of space for building, our group was a tad behind on construction. Around 10 AM, we quickly went to work like little worker bees and began the process of putting the walls together and building the roof. Even though everything felt so rushed with the building, we were still blessed to be spending time with the wonderful family and their children. After running around with the kids and getting the house nearly completed, we decided it would be a good time for a bite to eat. Under the shade, because let me tell you it was HOT, we sat in a circle and ate some lunch. This wasn’t an ordinary lunch though! Maria, the madre, brought out all her special documents and photos and began to share with us her family’s history. We saw photos of the kids through grade school, their grades, family photos, Maria’s baptism certificate and numerous documented achievements of the children. Even though it placed us behind on time for building, we couldn’t have been happier. Having the blessed opportunity to share life with the family was wonderful. Once we finished the roof, with the help of the delightful children, the house was complete and we sadly realized it was time to say our goodbyes. With tears in our eyes, we prayed for the family and their new house. It was 3 PM and sadly we still hadn’t seen Ana yet. Then all of a sudden, Kory ran up to me (Holly) and shouted that Ana was here! Hurray! The group rushed over to where she was to find Ana surrounded by Northshorites (the Serveites of NSB). Placing our hands on her shoulders, we prayed for her, cried with her, and also viewed the documents of her history. Then we gave her shirts, a blanket, a sweatshirt, and most importantly sunscreen. Anna practically screamed for joy when she received SPF 70 from Roberto. Being rushed to leave for showers and some delish tacos, we once again said our goodbyes. With tears in our eyes, we shared our goodbyes with Anna. Hugging Anna goodbye, she said to me, “If I don’t see you again, there is always Heaven, which will be an eternity together.” That was such a blessing, seeing her a second time only reaffirmed that God had a reason for her being in our lives. She created such an impact on my life and in those fleeting minutes of talking with her, I realized so much about life. In total, the atmosphere of the Pau Pau Ponchitos changed with the presence of Ana, and the accomplishment from the house. God sure works in mysterious ways, with His great plans and flawless decisions, God intertwined the histories of multiple people. Which goes to show, even in a matter of minutes, we can make a difference in someone’s life. GO PAU PAU PONCHITOS!!!!!!
- Robert Sinrud (aka Mr. Roboto) with Holly Irvin (Hollipher)
Blue Ninjas Update (Bob & Brian’s Team): Our house (or more so, the Mexican family’s house) was completed today. It was quite an accomplishment. Drew Mattocks and I got up on the house where the roof would soon be placed. Drew and I were scared out of our minds at first, because basically what this means is that we were sitting on a 2 by 4 that was suspended in the air…and that was it. Once we got the roof frame up, however, things got a little easier. The whole time, there was a small group of kids that followed us around and helped us put the house together. The two that stick out in my mind was a 8-year-old boy named Miguel and his younger brother Moises, who was probably about 4 (I couldn’t get a straight answer out of him for how old he was, he was more interested in the key chains on my backpack). The small gang of kids proved to be an effective work force. The paint job was completed very quickly (a light pink), and some of the kids nailed the roof on with us. Much to Joy’s disappointment, Miguel could hammer in nails much faster than her, but she caught up pretty soon.
The whole experience at the house was amazing. Our car broke down as we were getting ready to leave, so we got a lot of time to spend with the kids in the streets. All of the kids demanded they get a turn to ride piggyback (“Capuchi, capuchi!”) and they all laughed as we paraded around. They pretended they were commanding war steeds into battle as they pointed at their other fellow riders and yelled, “Attacka!” I earned myself the nickname Caballo Loco (spanish for Crazy Horse) when I pranced around and whinnied to their command.
Although all the experiences we went through at the house were amazing, the part of this trip that has made me think the most is the messages we are receiving. Hearing from missionaries who travel into the jungles of Africa to share the gospel with tribes who have never heard the gospel was an eye-opening message. It makes me think about a lot of things. What am I doing in my life? What is important to me? What is important to God? What is God’s heartbeat for the world, and what am I going to do to feel that heartbeat? What will I do with my life from here? A lot of questions, and few answers for me. It has definitely been a trip full of realization, questioning, and pondering. I will have a lot to pray about after this trip.
-Trevor Wood (Caballo Loco)
Team Perfect Update (Jim & Claire’s Team): We finished our house today and had a great time praying with our family and blessing their new home. Ines (the wife) was in tears as we left and saying “Es Bonita, Es bonita” (it is beautiful, it is beautiful). This home was obviously a blessing to them. Throughout the day we also had about 20 kids hanging out with us, playing bubbles, coloring, and learning how to make balloon animals. It was great to get a glimpse of what it is like to be in a culture that puts the emphasis on people rather than the task. That was a breath of fresh air. The family made us lunch and while we were eating a random kid was just hanging around. Ines saw him, asked him his name and then said,” Javier, quieres comer?” (Do you want something to eat?)She wanted to feed a child she does not know before her family. For us looking on that moment was a wake up call to what it means to love people and serve people.
- Kate Jones
e
0 Responses to “Day 7: A Little Insanity”