How can it be Friday, already!? We began today as usual gathered in the parking lot outside the bus for our morning devotion. Peter was with us in spirit all week as Sue read his selected scripture verses and reflective questions.
This week we reflected on Paul's words in I Corinthians --and the concept of starting something that you had to leave to someone else to complete.
According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. (I Cor. 3:10)
We completed one house to the bond beam this week and started a second house. The team laid over 210 block today! By 3 o'clock we were done sifting sand. We had made our last U-block, laid our last block, sewed our last curtain (that happens when you run out of fabric) and sang our last song together with the children. We leave the project for the villagers and other groups to complete, which is often a difficult part of a mission trip. Dave did take one last run up the mountain to take a picture of our progress (and wash the mortar out of the wheelbarrow) before the bus departed.
This week we also pondered John 15: 1...I am the vine and you are the branches...how has GPMC equipped you to bear fruit and how has GPMC shared in that equipping? We send our thanks to those who have been praying for us this week and for the cards we received last night! So many of you were with us atop a mountain in that schoolyard today. From the children who made the very popular songbooks, to those who shopped for the donations that filled the bags we gave out at the farewell celebration -- we felt your presence. In addition, your financial contributions enabled us to buy flashlights and medication for each family and will continue to support the construction in the village.
The entire village of Santa Cruz gathered at the school and representatives from the village lead us in prayer and spoke to the group, giving their thanks for our work. We all left a piece of our heart on that mountainside. It was very emotional to say, "adios" especially to Antonio and Dominga, two of the village children who stole our hearts.
Our last evening devotion together was followed by the "paper tortilla" awards, cribbage, puzzles and a concert by the "Dave Tucker Band"!
When we gathered in prayer today, our Honduran brothers asked God for the strength to complete their village project. I join them in that prayer ~
-Beth Dionne
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