Crazy, crazy day today.
Me, Karis, and Nolan spent the night at Marc's in Santa Ana last night so that we could wake up early and go finish a house in Ojojona that a TORCH group started on the other day. Let me tell you about this house: it is one of the easiest sites I have ever seen, and yet it is, to say the least, CURSED.
Day 1 of working on that house: they didn't get the tools until way late, and they did one of the walls wrong. They got the four posts in, and one and a half walls done. No bueno.
Day 2 of working on that house (I was on the crew that day): we got there at 9 in the morning. Sounds promising, right? But we had to leave at 11 to go to Good Shepherd. 2 hours? Are you kidding me? Not to mention, we had to take down the half-of-a-wall because it wasn't right, and we didn't have hinges to get the door or window done.
Day 3 of working on that house (today, with the TORCH interns): we get there, and things are going well at first. We are finishing up the floor when we realize that we need to cut the last piece, and then... the chainsaw chain screws up. So Nolan tried to start on the roof. But we didn't have roofing nails. So we wait for Terri to come back so we can tell her to go back and buy some. So me and Nolan sat down to work on the chainsaw. After awhile, we actually kinda figured out how it worked, and we got the chain on, and it started working. But it couldn't cut a piece of paper, so we re-did it. And then it worked perfectly. And then... it ran out of gas. So about that time, the preacher at the Ojojona church pulls up on his motorcycle to help. He does the chain again, and then he siphons gas out of his motorcycle and into the chainsaw. That was kinda cool. So about that time, Terri shows up with the nails. Nolan does a few pieces of tin, then came down to help with the chainsaw. I went up to do the rest of the roof (which was kinda shotty). Meanwhile, the chainsaw break broke, and then, eventually, the chainsaw split itself in two. I cannot even describe how frustrating the whole thing was. I finished the roof, we packed up the tools, and I explained to the lady about the chainsaw problems. I told her we'd be back tomorrow to finish, and I apologized. But she said it was okay, and that she was still very happy.
I found out later that she was so impressed that these Christian gringos would come to another country and build her a house that she had started coming to church. Wow. I was thinking, "This has to be one of the most messed up, cursed houses that I've ever worked on (I mean... four days to finish!?), and this lady is so impressed that she's coming to church?" It's weird, but it's awesome. And it shows that God can work through anything (even bogus TORCH houses) to bring people to Him. And it shows that we are still witnessing Christ to people, even when we think we're not doing a good enough job. God still works.
We had pupusas with Terri at Los Arcos in Santa Ana, and then we went to Toncontin airport to pick up a new rental truck (and it is NIIICCEEE). Then we went to Sector Ocho to help the Tupelo TORCH group finish their two houses. That made things so much better, because Sector Ocho is my favorite place; it's where all of my little friends are. So we roll in, and I step out of the truck, and all the kids start yelling, "Arroz!" and that made stuff a lot better. I did all the roof supports on Luis's site, and then walked around and talked to people in the community. I talked to Danella, Josilyn, and Lester's mom for a while, and she explained how she was needing a new roof because of how it leaked. I told her I'd personally see to it that I can buy her some new tin, and I really mean that. I'm going to make that a project for myself.
They finished the houses on time (I was kinda shocked at that, actually), and the houses were really nice. We all went and had chicken lasagna (to die for) at Julio's house in Santa Ana, and then to devotional with all of TORCH at the Jesus Statue tonight. Marc gave the devo; it was about picking up your cross daily, and being willing to sacrifice it all for Christ. We got back to the apartments a little after 10 o'clock, and then me, Kale, Karis, Luis, and Nolan got in the truck to go for a late night Wendy's run.
It's been a crazy day. But I'm starting to realize that every day is. And yet... Even though it was nuts, I am happy right now. It's been a good day. A good, LONG day.
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