Tuesday in Monterrey

Well, it was hot again today. Same routine as yesterday only earlier since the first concrete truck was supposed to be at the job site at 8 am.

Jan's morning devotion was based on Matthew 2: 1-6 and James 1:22 with the theme that we must be doers of the Word and not just listeners and that means every day not just when we are in Monterrey. We closed with the Lord's prayer.



While waiting for the concrete trucks to show up, we reinforced some of the forms to make sure they would not move due to the weight of the concrete. As is often the case, the first truck did not show up when we expected it, but about 9:30 am, three trucks arrived at the same time. We began pouring the site where three houses are close together.





The trucks do not have chutes long enough to place the concrete in all areas of the slab, so we use 'come alongs' to move the concrete. That is seriously hard work!



Once there is enough concrete in the form, we start smoothing the slab using a bull float. This usually takes about 20 minutes per slab.



The final step is to install a piece of vertical rebar in the corner of each slab. This is used to provide stability for the concrete block wall. It takes about one truck per slab depending on the depth of the slab. Once the trucks started arriving, they came at good intervals with only a couple of twenty minute breaks. We finished at about 1 pm and headed back to the Granada. A very good day's work. Ty's lunch blessing gave thanks to God for the sucess of today's work. He reminded us that when things go well, we often take credit for it and forget to give God the credit and the glory. In previous years we have had days that did not go so well, but we remember that God is with us in both the good days and the 'hard' days.

After we returned to the hotel, some of went to the local Home Depot to buy mortar mix to lay the first row of blocks tomorrow. We lay the first row of block using mortar. All the rows above that are dry laid by the Senior Highs and then a stucco type cement is applied to both the interior and exterior walls. It makes for a very strong wall.

A few more local school children showed up with their notebooks to ask us questions for their assignment.



Everyone is in good spirits, feeling well and working together as a team.
Praise God!

Buenas noches de Monterrey.