We really dig Ecuador. Really... we've dug post holes. We've dug footers. We move dirt in. We move dirt out. We shovel in sand. We shovel rock out. We shovel rock in and sand out (again). And that was just this Tuesday besides yesterday and Sunday as well.
But despite the cement mixer breaking, running out of water, sand, rock and cement, and other such delays, it is good to see slabs poured and steel posts up. About half way through the construction week and basically all we have left is framing, rafters, roofing, exterior walls, electrical, gyp board, and ceiling. No problemo.
Hey, in the USA we would then also have to make sure the sprinklers, phone, security, sidewalks, ramps, curb, and mustn't forget the landscaping - all done before getting a certificate of occupancy.
But seriously, my comments come from all the contrast in these Americas. It is inspiring to see those that have lost most everything (which often wasn't much to start with by USA standards) to still be smiling and helping each other. The stories we're hearing from new homes being reached as well as from those who have previously received homes fills our hearts with God's love even as we are sharing it with them.
For construction we finished the floor slabs for both homes and all of the support steel is up. A bit more concrete on Wed will finally put an end to our rock, sand, and cement shoveling! In ways it seems like the foundation is taking way too long but at least we can see progress. And the local staff and workers are telling us it is progressing well - maybe even ahead of schedule (though we need to keep the pace to make sure).
We had to delay the kid's outreach today. Imagine the Seahawks are playing in a playoff game. Well, both Ecuador and Chile were in soccer qualifiers today and they take their games very seriously. In countries where people have so little, they take huge pride in their sports teams. We would go to houses and ask about the kids only to get a response akin to "why are you bothering us now". So we started with 4 kids. But once the Ecuador game was over we ended up with over 30. Then the excitement began. They all loved it. By the end many were asking when we were doing this again. The local pastor's wife Patima who is leading this outreach would tell them she would let them know, but didn't yet know exactly when. The beautiful thing is seeing all these new connections made and the community open up with joy and hope.
We ended the day with a special time. After all the rock moving, wheel barrows of concrete, welding, and youth outreach we went out on the beach for a bonfire. As we, our hosts, the Ecuadorian workers, the pastor and his wife, and a previous home recipient family gathered around we sensed the Holy Spirit working through all of this in the unity He brings. We still needed translating and yet noted how much doesn't need translated because we can still communicate and share so much. We talked about how much devastation there was from the earthquake and yet how much had been accomplished so far through God's working through so many. But I think the best part was to hear the testimony of the prior recipients. We are giving houses to believers and non-believers because they all need help. This family were not believers. The father told of coming to San Vicente before the quake with nothing including no job. Through odd jobs he had scraped together enough to build a wooden home for his family of 4. Then the quake hit and even that house was lost as was most work on the region. Then he found some hope of a new home through Ibero Ministries. But one day just before it was to be built he lost his temper in front of the pastor. That broke him as he thought he had now lost this one chance at a new home and he went to hide. But Pastor Luis saw him break and followed him. Instead of condemning as he expected, Pastor Luis was able to lead him to Jesus. Now he and his wife read the Bible to each other and are growing in Christ. Those that knew them before and after say the change is amazing and praise God for what the Lord is doing.
That's why we're here.
