Today after having our morning devotion at 6:45 am and a pancake breakfast, we headed out to the job site in the 2 vans on a very bumpy dirt road similar to the effect you get if you've ever ridden Star Tours, but for about 10 minutes. We met the family who will be receiving the house, greeted by the father, Francisco first, then Marisol who shyly poked her head out their existing home but then warmed up quickly with hellos and hugs, and Rigoberto. We met the mother, Amalia later in the morning.
At first, we were a bit overwhelmed with the stack of "unmarked" lumber, tools, and house plans. We even hit a few snags along the way such as cutting the lumber the wrong size and locking our van keys inside the car requiring a call to the local locksmith who charge us $200.
That's pesos which translated into roughly $20. With some assistance from our host at IDT, Pastor Steve and from hints/tips from our brothers and sisters at Wintersburg Presbyterian, we were able to frame and put up all 4 outer walls, attach an inside wall, paint 3/4 outer walls, frame and put up the roof reinforced with plywood on top.
Allison and Nicholas helped lead the VBS for the neighborhood children today, then joined in the construction. It was truly awesome to see the our members work like one body mentioned in Paul's letter to the Corinthians where every part was doing his/her job to contribute to the mission at hand where Christ remains our head. Even Francisco and his family pitched in to help build their house.
Although we are building at a great pace, we know that the house build is the secondary project. Please continue to pray for this family that God will provide us the opportunity to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with them. This is our primary purpose. Though we have only just met, we already are establishing friendships through smiles, hand gestures, sharing building a home together, and through Doug and Brian's ability to translate in Spanish. We are so encouraged and touched from reading your letters each night. Though we are tired from today's work, we are encouraged and thankful that God is faithful and is providing us the strength to continue His work. We look forward to updating you with the remaining days' work.
Love in Christ,
Brian Lowe
The 2011 Baja Team
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