Day 2 always brings about big expectations. We end Day 1 with so much enthusiasm. There’s usually a lot of physical progress made at the site, so people think it’s going to be more of the same. Unfortunately, that is rarely the case on the second day. Our plan is never the same as God’s.
It’s not that we aren’t working, but the BIG stuff is already taken care of. We were able to really clear up the most of the brush, weeds, and garbage that was strewn around the village.
But it’s probably the most important day of the week for team morale. It’s easy for us to get down when you can’t see the big steps. Yesterday, Raoul was able to secure the services of a front-end loader that was able to clear out a huge portion of the area behind the houses that we are using to create gardens. It also spread out the four loads of fill that were dumped to create a base for those gardens. So there was a huge change in the appearance of the site.
Our job today was to create retaining walls to allow the rainwater to flow to certain areas in the rear of the village. Now the thing with this fill is that after it gets wet, it gets pretty hard, so the rain we had last night didn’t help much. The task was daunting. Pick-axing, shoveling, dumping – over and over again for about 4 hours to place about eight 8-ft boards in place. But the team that worked on this project was ecstatic that it was completed. Three of my small group members were on this project, and they all shared that this was their “high” point of the day. And one member said that when she felt like she couldn’t continue, she could feel God’s presence give her the strength and will to finish the job.
The other groups were able to also make progress – finishing the roof of one house and beginning a new one, painting one house and priming another, and continuing to replace some boards off of various houses.
Today reaffirmed in us the importance of patience – with each other, with the kids, but most importantly within ourselves. We can’t rush through this expereicne. We need to take it all in, and listen to what God wants us to do.
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I can't help but think when I read these blogs that the heavenly hosts are in the stands watching all of you as you work so hard in His service. I picture them cheering you on. I see the hands pumping and signaling #1. I see Jesus with His radiant smile saying, "That's my team. They get it!" I see the Father bursting with pride in your accomplishments. Keep piling up that heavenly treasure! And remember to give God all the glory and all the credit for allowing you all to serve in His name.
ReplyDeleteIt's great to see things being completed, but don't lose sight of the fact that God's timetable is vastly different than ours. Plus there is the distinction between when "a job" is finished, and when "our job" is finished.
ReplyDeleteSay a prayer for somebody today. I'm saying a prayer for all 47 of you today (although not individually like Doug did - show-off)
Scott & Michelle