Diana & Yuliana
Today we were able to access the blog. Thanks Rick for helping us make some posts. We hope to get some pictures on previous posts.
Here is an outline of the last few days.
Thursday
It was another busy day today.
The day started off with breakfast as normal. But Riccardo did not show up to drive us to the school. So we had a walk up the road right outside our door. We then started walking to the girl’s home, about 7km away. Riccardo met us on the way and drove us to the school.
As soon as we got there, we got right to it. We finished putting up the walls for the building. During this time talks were going on as to what to do with a building started by another mission team. The construction was not up to par. Apparently things did not go well as a former employee of the company supplying the building scammed CDA and left with the money. I’m not sure of all the details. But it put the other team in a very unfair situation.
The best thing to do was to start over. It came down fairly fast. We reset the elevations and started putting the walls back up. We accomplished much. We also had a reminder that constructions site can be dangerous. A section of wall fell to the ground. Not good. Rod and Tom narrowly escaped injury. We give thanks to God for that. That did put a damper on things. But we managed to put the wall back in place and then some before the end of the day.
Part of the team worked on the medical building setting the rafters for the roof. Tomorrow the hope is to install the roof and pour the concrete floors. Also finish erecting the walls for the other building.
Jen and Amanda were busy were with the girls. They are studying the fruits of the Spirit. The girls are very attentive and have retained what they have heard. After which they were busy making necklaces and bracelets with beads. The girls loved it.
Should also mention cooks at the home have been looking after us quite well. Gatorade is always available and it is amazing how many dishes can be made with rice.
Friday
Riccardo was on time today and as cheerful as ever. His days are long. He has a 2 hour drive from home to pick us up at 7:30 am. He stays with us for the most part during the day and then drives us back to Tabio where we are staying. Today we got back “home” at 7:00 pm.
The temperatures were very nice today. The sun is intense, but it does not feel all that hot.
As planned we started installing the roof on the medical building. But we ran out of roofing material.
We managed to complete putting the walls of the other building back up. We also completed framing the back half of that building. It will be the future home of Jim Chynoweth his wife and 3 month old daughter. They are originally from Florida and are here working for CDA translating documents.
In the afternoon we began to landscape the front of the medical building, trying to make something out of the rocks that were lying around. The highlight was moving a very heavy natural stone step some 200 ft. It took eight of us and two large poles to move it. A trick we learned from the locals. As well we mixed concrete for the floors of the medical building and the porch. The reason we were so late today.
Jen and Amanda continued on with their study of the fruits of the Spirit. In the afternoon they washed the girl’s hair. Lice seem to be a problem at the school. On Monday they hope to treat it.
I should also mention Carlos, our resident construction expert. Always ready to lend a hand and his advice. There is always a lot of hand gesturing going on when he’s around, smiles too. We are gaining his confidence.
It has been going well here. We are all in good health and we are looked after very well.
This evening we went for a walk through the town of Tabio, a beautiful old town and seemingly friendly people. The heart started racing somewhat when 3 stake trucks, full of soldiers wearing masks, went by. They kept going so that was good.
Tomorrow we have the day off to do some shopping and see the sights in Bogota. We look forward to that.
It’s Saturday morning as I finish off this post. Looking out the window I see Amanda, Brian, Jen and Gary playing bocce ball and Rod sitting on some steps writing his thoughts in a journal. I hear John and Gerald laughing. There’s beautiful gardens and mountains in the background. What a blessing to be able serve God in the work that we are doing but also to be enjoying a small part of God’s wondrous creation.
We send our love to all those back home. Thank you for the comments you have shared with us in the blog. It is always a treat for us to read them.
I will praise you, O LORD with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders.
I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. (Psalm 9:1)
Have a blessed Sunday,
The Team
