Wednesday in Monterrey

Well, it wasn't so hot today. Finally!
We got up even earlier and we left the hotel at 6:30 am and got to the job site about 7 am.

Jan concluded his devotion series about being mission oriented every day with readings from Matthew. We greatly appreciate Jan's willingness to lead these devotions. Each of them has given us a wonderful start to the day's work.


Today's job consisted of laying the first row of blocks on all seven slabs. The first task is to remove the form boards from the slabs.



Then we lay out the four walls and snap chalk lines for reference. We mix the mortar and start laying the blocks.



Each house has two openings for doors and we try to get them where the homeowner wants them if at all possible. Today's work went very well once we got going. We had three teams laying block simultaneousy, so the work was done by noon! Some of us even got to take a watermelon break at the fruit stand in front of one of the slabs.



Here are some pictures of the proud workers and even prouder home owners.



Hermando and his wife were especially grateful and a couple of our guys saw tears in Hermando's eyes as we were leaving. He gave each of us a bear hug that let us know how much he appreciated what we had done.



Moments like that make this trip so satisfying that it is hard to describe. From our affluent perspective what we are giving them seems like so little, but it is obviously a tremendous gift from their perspective.

We have been blessed to have this opportunity to serve God and to witness to these people. Our prayer is that what we have done has glorified God and that the homes we have started may make a real and lasting change in the lives of these people. We give praise to God for his goodness and for his guidance on this trip.

Each of us takes home something different from these trips. Please ask us to tell you our story the next time you see one of us.

Buenas noches de Monterrey