Berean Bible Church - Mexico Trip - Day 4

This morning we awoke to clear skies - the views from the rooftop of the church were amazing.  The volcano behind the church is snow capped and was spewing steam high into the atmosphere.  The sight is just gorgeous. We didn't get to sit around long and admire it though - we had much to do. 

After breakfast and some worship time lead by Matt, and some time in God's word, we broke into our groups and began to attack the list of jobs we had for the day.

Today's jobs included painting of the metal stairs leading up to the roof, beginning the tiling of the floor in the classroom, laying the paving stones at the end of the driveway, painting the doors around the facility, helping grade papers... and a bunch of other minor jobs around the church/school.

We experienced some more difficulty in understanding what they wanted us to accomplish, and even more, understanding why we were doing things the way we were.  For instance, the driveway group was trying to figure out exactly what the connection to the road was going to look like, and there seemed to be a variety of answers -  block all across the bottom, block just where the tires are going...  eventually they got it figured out.  The tile group has had an interesting time since the floor wasn't level.  Instead of floating the whole floor (as the group thought would be best), we broke up the concrete and leveled a portion of the floor yesterday, and today we are putting almost 2 inches of "thin set" and concrete mix under the tiles (the group has gone to calling it "thick set" because it is so deep). 

Regardless, it has been a great day and much was accomplished.

We do have a few things that happened today that we need to be praying for. 

• Vicky returned back to the facility and Ruth is worried that her family will want to take her home (which is a problem because they have not taken care of her very well because she is deaf), and if they do take her home Vicky might ask them (as she has us) to take the cast off because she does not like it.  Apparently, a relative of Vicky's had a cast on his broken arm and the kids took it off because he did not like it.  Due to the fact that she had surgery and has pins in her elbow, this could be very critical.  We are praying that God would allow her to stay here (at least for the time being), and if it is His will to allow her to remain here to grow up at the church/school.

•  Alan was working earlier today, and it seems that he might have injured himself.  He thinks he might have a hernia.  We are praying that he would have wisdom to know how hard to push, and when he needs to stand on the sideline.  

• John tripped today and banged both of his toes - nothing critical, but with cuts on both big toes, he could be hindered with the work he has to do.

Over all, the team has been healthy and doing very well.  Most are extremely tired because of the nature of the work, and with a team of only 10 people, there isn't much time for breaks.  They are doing a great job though!

After dinner this evening the team and the locals stood around in the kitchen sharing pictures, stories, talking and laughing together.  It was the highlight of the day.  Learning Spanish, teaching them English, as Mike said it, "it was like a family should be".  We were all reminded that because of Christ we are part of a family - what an exciting thought.

On that note - Thought for the day:  Oh what fun it has been today as team members are learning words in Spanish - we learned :
     Shovel - Pala
     Pick - Pico
     Level - Nivel
and a bunch of other words.  Anyway, the team was having a lot of fun learning words, and then trying to remember them, use them, and not get them wrong.  We also took some time to teach the people here some English words as we learned their language.

Language is a barrier to us, and keeps us from having deeper and more meaningful relationships.  Or is it?  I have been thrilled to watch the team interact with the people both the deaf (who are teaching us sign language) and the hearing Spanish.  We are connecting as we laugh together, work together, play together, eat together.  The barrier seems to be broken where the body is one because of Jesus.

Makes me long for the day that we will all be together in the presence of our great God - and will be able to worship together and will be able to understand each other.  Language isn't a barrier for our Father, and someday, some glorious day, it won't be an issue for us as well.

Oh, how I long for that day - so I say with the Revelator - "even so come Lord Jesus"!