Day of the Pony Tail

The day started with a bang. We couldn't find the girls ANYWHERE, and we're kind of late for the work site. Suddenly, they come streaming out of their bedroom, alllllll of them sporting pony tails. Hahaha. The picture below tells all. The girls have really bonded, and reportedly there are foot massage sessions in their room after 10pm quiet time!

To give you an idea of how well everyone is getting along, today, in morning chapel, we were told that today is typically "hump day" - the day where you start getting tired of your teammates, and so on. And I had several people express how their first thought was "WHAAAT?! I LOVE THE PEOPLE ON MY TEAM!" So, good news on that front!

Our van rides are always full of energy, pumping out the tunes, people laughing in our crowded 15 passenger van.

Today was another day full of small miracles. We finished the roof and the drywall, put in the windows, played lots of soccer (and I mean lots), and texturized the wall before it gets painted tomorrow. It's just so so crazy how fast everything comes together. Our crew leaders (pictured below) are SO fantastic. And strangely enough, they give off the vibe of being slower than last year, yet we seem to be getting more done. There's a strange peace to it all.

Another small "Simon stop being such a grump" moment was when I decided to let Luis roam (though just a little) with my camera. He's hilarious. He just LOVED it, and started getting into using the zoom (and he's 5!). I put one of his pictures of Mike down below. Luis has absolutely made his way into the old grown up side of my heart. He came to find me during tonight's church service, asking me if he could take pictures. Instant heart-warm. :)

After a full day of building, we were greeted at the centre with tacos before heading back out for a Spanish church service. Upon our arrival, we were asked to provide a drummer (shock!), so Mike, who hadn't played in a few years, decided "I can do this!". And sure enough, believe or not, Mike lead worship on drums for us and a congregation of about 50-75 Mexicans (on top of having to work with a worship leader that spoke no English). VERY proud moment. :)

Jamie and Mike also shared about their experience of being in Mexico via a translator. And, to his great surprise, Ross was "presented with an opportunity" (read: told to) to preach about 2 or 3 minutes before the fact. He did not disappoint!

The evening wrapped up with a game of soccer in the church backyard, featuring the West Van youth team vs about 30 Mexican children. It was mayhem!

Believe it or not, tomorrow is our LAST day of building. It is SUCH a beautiful day to be able to complete what we set out to do. Ive encouraged our team to take a bit of alone time (a rarity!) and prepare their hears for what God wants to show them tomorrow. Martha, the mother, shared her gratitude in church tonight, and was just CRYING and crying. So Im sure tomorrow will be unforgettable. So please pray with us, that our hearts would be ready, that the family's hearts would be ready, and that God would be God (which, I mean...God is always God, so I guess I mean just that God would do that thing that only God does). :D

To all you parents out there who sent your kids out here with us: your kids are incredible people. And each one of them has made me laugh incessantly. It continues to be a true honour to journey with them.

Anyway, goodnight all. Here's a small sample todays pictures! (for the non-important record, Im close to 900 pictures!)

Pony tails galore!

Nicole is so helpful. ;) hahaha.

Always awkward when you drywall yourself into the house! This is Lee saving us from our cube.

Good news: Marcella found her calling: mudding! She loved it!

Ben proving that it is indeed very sunny!

Juan and his wife Carey - our fantastic crew leaders.

Sam and the intern working with us, Perla.

Theo, Mike and Brigitte decided to paint the outhouse. Mike blessed it with a cross. Theo got the job of painting the inside and described herself as being "on the edge of glory". Haha. They refer to themselves now as "Painters Without Borders."

Tomorrow, Dylon will be telling one of the stories he tells our kids in Sunday School. Nicole is here drawing the pieces that he will use.

Luis and his brother, looking out the window of their soon to be "old home".

Picture taken by Luis.

Dylon and Katie going over plans for the bunks we'll be building tomorrow. Did I hear TRIPLE bunk? I think so!

Another moment that made our personal injury lawyer a little nervous: a trip to the second hand stores to buy a table,  and a toilet seat. Turned out to be the highlight of the day for all involved in the shopping extravaganza!

Vivian made a friend! She spent most of the afternoon with Isabelle. They even made matching bracelets. 

Ross, THRILLED to be eating Poblanos Tacos for dinner!

Katie, church-ready.

Here's proof that they did it! Jamie and Mike speaking at the service, with Carey translating.