I'm not going to lie. I had a pretty stinking awesome day today.
This morning, Marc woke me up at about 5:30 or so (which is exactly when I wanted to get up so that I could have coffee and ample time for a personal, morning devo), but the next thing I knew it was about 6:15. I completely underestimated the comfort of a queen-sized, down mattress. But I got up, took a shower (Marc has Hondo-style, "electric" showers; a funny switch to go back to after having American showers in the apartments), and then had some Raisin Bran and coffee while I read a little bit more out of Psalm 119.
Let me share this with you. I came across a verse that said, "I will walk in freedom, because I walk in your commandments." I asked Marc and Andrea what they thought that meant, since so many people perceive that, if you become a disciple, you become a slave to God's rules and lose your own "personal freedom." It was awesome to spend a few minutes out of the morning talking about it, and all coming to the conclusion that, when we submit to God, we are free from the addiction to and obsession with a corrupt way of life. We do become slaves to God, but that is slavery to a way that is good, full of peace and joy, and just all-around "better."
As a Christian, I can't help BUT serve a way of life that makes me happy. And as a Christian, I no longer HAVE to have anything to do with the old way of life that used to tear me to pieces.
And that's pretty cool.
Me and Marc loaded up in the green truck to head to Mirador Oriente to work on the footers for the high school we're building there in that community. But, "welcome to Honduras," there was a taxi strike in the city today (it happens all the time, apparently), and we got stuck in traffic for an hour and a half. But it was all good; I called and talked to David, my brother in law, for a good while, and me and Marc had some great conversation too. When we finally got to Mirador Oriente, Marc took Karis to go see a doctor (she's had a sore throat for WAY too long), and the rest of us stayed and mixed concrete.
I love mixing concrete. It has got to be the best job in the world for the one-track, task-oriented, male mindset. First, 70 shovel fulls of sand. Second, 55 shovel fulls of rocks. Third, two bags of cement mix. Fourth, build a volcano out of it. Fifth, pour water in the volcano and stir thoroughly. Sixth, you are now officially a hoss, because that was hard work.
And then repeat.
We did that for a while until eventually me and Milton had to go buy more concrete mix. I always enjoy hanging out with Milton because, despite the language barrier, we always have great talks. And he said my Spanish is greatly improving too, so that felt good to hear. We all went and got chicken sandwiches and Phille cheese steak sandwiches for lunch break (while Karis sent me a text message that just said, "Bears, beets, Battlestar Gallactica." And if any of you are fans of "The Office," you know that would have made your day too), then back to Mirador to work a little bit more before the rain came and made the cement a little too soupy to handle anymore.
We met Marc and Karis and Rachel (who just got back from retreat with Terry Reaves' group) at Cafemania. After some iced latte, me and Marc loaded back up to head to Santa Ana. We stopped at Despensa for some groceries, then at the Blue House for fried chicken, and right now, Marc is making mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, and Blue House chicken for supper. Oh, and we bought Maldeadas for desert.
I'm covered in concrete, and hoping that it will all wash out; I'm extremely tired, and hoping I'll wake up tomorrow; but life in Hondo was still just way too good today, and I KNOW it will continue to be tomorrow.
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