After breakfast we got right to work. Okay, maybe not right
to work. The team got up to the worksite and decided to go and take a look at
the house we worked on, windows and doors were going in today. Even though we
got there at 8:30, several of the windows had already been installed and door
frames were in too. Jacquelyn was there mopping the floor. When she saw us she
immediately invited us in and offered us her thanks. As she walked us through
the house, she cried out of the joy she had for the work we did. We may not
have raised the walls, but in the week we were here, we helped put on a roof
and lay her floor, making the structure feel like a home. That is why she was
grateful. She would no longer live in a leaking shack with her seven children;
she would have a place she could call home, if that doesn’t tug at your
heartstrings nothing will.
Now it was back to work and work we did. With the whole team
trying to help finish things we were on top of each other. Everyone wanted to
finish and leave nothing undone. I am not saying our teens were not teens,
gravel spreading was done with an enthusiasm that required sweeping up gravel
from a much larger place then it first rested, but that was okay. Steve’s crew
had to get everything cut they needed cut because Charlie was leaving us by 11
am for the capital and with Charlie go the power saws. Once everything was cut,
the team began painting the last of the pieces and before we knew it, it was
time to say so long to Charlie. As he walked to his truck, you could see his
emotion as the youth chanted his name out of respect and thanks for all he gave
of himself to this project. He was as much a part of our team as anyone of us
were.
The sun got hot early today. So when we broke for lunch we
had a choice to make. We had planned to visit the waterfall after we were done.
But with all the painting done, our only power drill with only one extension
cord remaining, and the team sitting against the wall in the shade watching
only a few people do the final assembly, we decided to go to the waterfall
right after lunch and do the finishing touches when we returned. Lunch was
eaten quickly as there was an excitement about the journey to the waterfall.
Padre and Angela were going to take us and we knew that several of the locals
would be joining us.
Now I must admit, I remember this hike from the last time we
were here, and I was not as excited about the 50 minute journey through woods
and along back roads as others. But there was a brand new hanging bridge over
the worst of the journey which meant the grueling hike down to the river and
back up the other side was not as bad as it was before. Anyway, off we went and
about 40 minutes later we were going down the stairs to the falls. The stairs
were as dangerous as any part of the journey. They were uneven and steep. So we
took it easy and enjoyed all that awaited us at the bottom.
The water was clear and refreshing. We had no rain while at
the camp and only saw it rain on the nearby mountains once this past week, so
the water coming over the falls was less intense than before. This meant that
we were able to enjoy going right up to the base of the falls and walking
through them. One of our youth commented that it was the best shower they had
enjoyed all week. Padre got joined us in the water and we had a great time and
by the time we left, we felt really refreshed. However, that quickly faded as
we made the trek back up the stairs. The walk back was filled with laughter and
talk about the week’s events. It was just starting to sink in that we would be
leaving the camp the next day.
Back at the camp, a few of us went back down to install the
last of the structure leaving the rest of the team to play cards or take a
siesta. Piece after piece was put in place and before the dinner bell rang, the
last piece of the play set was installed. We weren’t sure we could get it all
done, but we did and we stepped back, took a few pictures and offered thanks
for the ability to give the children of the neighborhood church school such a
wonderful gift. We did not do it alone, the folks from Christ Church in Georgia
did a lot to make our finishing touches possible, but we had the pleasure to
look on the finished project with pride and in thanksgiving.
It was up to dinner and afterwards a meeting with Padre. Just
before the meeting, Padre, Angela, Melissa and Fr. Tom made a visit to one of
the local households where someone was not well. They were only going to be a
couple of minutes, but 30 minutes later they made their way back to the camp
and up to the dining hall. When we sat down with Padre, he wanted to know about
our experience and what we thought about the work, the people, the camp, and
the offerings of the camp staff. By the time we finished, there had been tears
of joy and grace in what God had done in and through us and those who started
the projects before us. Almost everyone said they would gladly come back again,
not because they enjoyed the hard work and hot sun, but because of the
relationships that had formed. Padre told us how we would be remembered and
encouraged us to remember those we had met. Many on the team were very sad to
leave and even wished they could stay longer. With the reflection behind us,
Padre and Angela joined us again for Compline.
Once Compline was over we began to pack, that is all of us
except Fr. Tom and Melissa. They met with Padre to go over Sunday’s Eucharist.
Padre had asked Fr. Tom to co-celebrate. When Fr. Tom accepted, he expected a
small part in the service only to find out Padre really wanted him to do the
whole service (and in Spanish). Needless to say, Fr. Tom was a bit taken back
and after some discussion, Padre and Fr. Tom were to lead different parts of
the service. However, the only part Fr. Tom would do in English was the reading
of the Gospel. Padre gave Fr. Tom a prayer book and said “ go practico”; which
Fr. Tom did.
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