Rain Rain Go Away

It was a good thing that we were a little more prepared in the morning to work today because the afternoon was a wash - literally. The oppressive heat and sun were pushed aside for an afternoon thunderstorm. At first it was a huge relief for the cool air and rain to to arrive, but it just didn't want to leave. Fortunately we had the empty house we are working on to gather and keep dry, but it stifled the work that was being done in the house. Speaking of that, the inside work is a little more complicated than anticipated. The house we are working on has been a project for about 10 years. The way houses are built is a little different in the Bahamas. Each time they get some money, they build. And then they wait for more money, then they build. They don't hire contractors to build in the village, they do it themselves. This can lead to some problems for Americans who come down expecting the house is being built to code. There is no code, no inspections, no permits, nothing. So when we started installing drywall, we finally noticed that it looks like a spiderweb of studs with just scraps of 2x4's. There was no consistent measurement being done. Some were 21 inches apart, some 24, others 16. There were parts of the ceiling had no cross beams so we had no where to secure some ends of the drywall. It was like putting a puzzle together. Our skill set hasn't prepared us for this type of work. We were able to build another picnic table, finish the electrical work, and continue the art work surrounding the house. We closed our night by welcoming the Holy Spirit in a moving beach service. Two brave team members gave testimonies about their journey, we spent quiet time on the beach in prayer, and worshipped Jesus in song. Many people were worried that we would get rained on because is was still sprinkling and thundering with about 15 minutes before we were to start. But as always God delivered. The sky cleared and it was a perfect night to become aware of His presence in this place. We have one more work day to go. Miss Vienna is going to take a group on an island tour to see her shop, the beach, the post office, and other parts of the community in Eight Mile Rock. We end our night with shopping at the port tonight. Please pray for health and safety. Also pray that these young people truly accept the Holy Spirit into their lives.