Part 1

This team had a huge undertaking on their hands. They came with open minds and hearts to serve our Lord at the Fuerzas Armadas School. I don’t think however they knew how much they would accomplish and how hard the work was going to be. This team had the challenge to mix, move and pour concrete for the entire 2nd floor. They also had to change a roof for one classroom and move concrete block to the second floor and install these blocks. On top of this they also offered sewing classes in the afternoon in the Rincon community. Colossians 2:6-7 “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”
I believe this team was ready to take this challenge on because of the faith they have in Jesus. They knew that our Lord would strengthen them for what ever came there way. They also knew that in the long and hard days physically they could continue on because of the overflowing love and thankfulness they have for Jesus and all that He has done for them. When one comes to serve on a team and in a foreign country there are so many hurdles to overcome, like missing your family, change in food, different language, culture, beliefs, and so much more. Now add to this the intense work out from the work at the site. It is amazing because we had people from there 60’s to there 30’s. All worked on a special project and all worked at involving themselves in the project, school, community and with people.

After the team landed and had lunch we took the team to the job site to show them the work that is ahead of them and also to meet the kids in the school. We always try to inform the team with all the information about the job, school and answer any questions.

On this same day some of the girls came out and started to sing to the team. The joy of the Lord is in these children. It is amazing in how much the children have change in this school. Our first team back in March of this year could testify that the children were still getting used to the idea of North Americans coming to visit them and help their school. And now look at them. This is LOVE!

First Day of Work

Normally our first day of work starts on a Friday. Team 9 came in on a Friday and so the first day started on a Saturday but only a half day because the other half was going to be spent with our children in Rincon (the community we work in) during our youth group program.

We took on the challenge to tear off this roof because it was leaking badly. The old roofing materials were donated to a kindergarten school that was near by and in the same community. So in order for the kindergarten school to receive the roofing we asked for volunteers from that school to come and tear off the roof for us early Saturday morning.

Part 2

When Monday morning came the team really hand there hands full with work. The women were busy bending rebar and making rebar columns for the second floor walls and main beams. Others were moving concrete buckets from the first floor to the second floor. I want to share some information that 6 people did while moving this concrete. (Information from Steve Caracci)
The team poured concrete in 1 ½ days. The floors dimensions were 72’x32’x3’’. This equaled to 21.3 yards of concrete. They moved 68,266 lbs of concrete. When they lifted the half buckets it equaled to 1,724 buckets to pour the entire floor. This equaled to 5.75 tons of concrete per person lifted to the second floor. All the concrete was mixed by hand on the ground and shoveled into buckets.
Then the concrete was lifted up by a pulley system as seen here. Each person took on the role of pulling, or unhooking the buckets to helping lifting the buckets up by hand. We worked all day Monday with out lunch and quit around 5:30 pm. (started at 7:30 am) Our shoulders, hand and arms were exhausted in the first day.

Everyday we took the time to start the day off right with prayer and thanksgiving.
Thank you Father for what you have done in such a short time. We are thankful for all three teams that have come down and helped in this building project. For many this project seemed to be too big and overwhelming but to you it is a place and building to witness your power, wealth and glory. Lord you have witnessed to many both Honduran and North Americans. It is something that each will take in their hearts.
In Jesus name, Amen y amen.

Part 3

With all the work the team has accomplished with the concrete floor, moving the block, and installing the block there is more to report. Cheryl has been coming down and every year she teaches a sewing class to the women in the Barrio Rincon. This year and this time was no exception. Cheryl had a class that started out with a hand full of women on Monday and by Friday she grew and probably doubled the class. The word got out and all the women know that what Cheryl teaches is fun and interesting and gives the ladies an opportunity to make the products Cheryl teaches them and sell them for income. On this team we had the knowledge of Cheryl and also various women on team that helped out with the classes.

I know one of the biggest blessings from this sewing class is the friendships that are being made. The women from both countries look forward in seeing each other each year. This is awesome. This is one thing I love about teams. Each member can bring their talent and put it to good use and form lasting friendships.

Another blessing that team members have is the ability to visit and meet their sponsored child or children. We know that this time is very special for the sponsors. We enjoy seeing the sponsors meeting their child because it allows the child to see them face to face and also to be able to touch, listen and communicate love between the two is a blessing from our Lord.