Luiz the 5 Year Old

I know I keep sounding over-the-top with my updates, but everything keeps going so so well. The team dynamics are incredible. Everyone spends their time hammering or painting, both of which are done with lots and lots of laughing.

Today, we put up the roof, and shingled the whole thing! Meanwhile, a crew started on the dry wall on the inside, while others went around painting touch-ups. A few highlights: the conversations. They continue to be so rich and so full - everything from upcoming university choices, to questions about faith, and then again, lots and lots of laughing.

What really astounded me today was a brilliant moment with my mom and aunt. I asked both of them if they wanted to do roofing. Now, keep in mind, Theo has built two houses before this in other countries. As my question, their faces quickly betrayed the slight moment of panic that was happening inside. But they went for it! And Im just amazed at how incredible it is to see two women of such profound faith continuing to take steps outside of their comfort zones. To be committed to the process of growth at an age when many are content with coasting is beyond inspiring. And they loved it! We could barely get them off the roof (though partly because they were nervous about the ladder work...hahaha).

The other thing that stands out was watching the teens in the group rally around a FIVE year old roofing! I know I know, it sounds sketchy. As we're roofing, we turn around and the parents had sent some of their children on the roof. My first thought was "Oh my gosh." My second thought was "Oh man, I just want to get this done - no time for this." But then, grace happened. The kid was having a BLAST! By the end, with only a few shingles left, Nicole, Jamie, Sam, Mike, and Brigitte were standing around the kid, watching him grab a shingle, grab a nail and a hammer, and go at it. It was incredible.

Chatting with Ben, another of the teens on the trip, it was amazing to see that the family had bought us pizza for lunch. Keep in mind - last night, someone asked them what they were going to have for dinner, and they said it depends on whether the husband would be able to bring food home or not. And here they were, buying us lunch. Humbling.

Tonight in group time, each of the team members was given a letter written by someone back home - a parent, a friend, a spouse, a child. It was such a pleasure to see the look on everyone's face as they read words of encouragement, and a reminder of just how well supported we are by all of you.

Tomorrow the plan is to finish the last touches on the roof, finish up dry wall, texturize, paint, etc. I can't believe this is already the home stretch!

Please pray for continued health (it's supposed to be 28 degrees and sunny tomorrow!). Also, we go to a Spanish church service in the evening. After last year's INCREDIBLE experience, please pray that we'd be open to whatever it is that God has in store, without having to compare and all that stuff. 

Love!

Here's a picture for Mary Jo and Pat: look! Your son is washing the dishes! Mega points! :D 

Dylon and Jamie working on the roof.

We went around and wrote prayers and words of blessing on the walls of  the house before putting up the dry wall.

Mr Mike working on the electrical.

Lee has spent most of his 2 days measuring things. What a guy.

Vivian LOVES dogs. She was pretty heart broken when Rhonda told us that we were better off not touching dogs this year. But then this happened, and it was just so irresistibly cute! And I think it made Vivian's trip. :)

Ben and Mike suffered through the atrocity that is "the mega drill". Just awful. It's a fairly dull drill bit trying to make its way through, at times, 3 layers of wood.

Sam, supervising.

Ross putting on the final touches on the siding!

Nicole is absolutely hilarious. She says she finds freedom in not taking life too seriously. So she painted a moustache on, which she sported for most of the morning. 

The family is already SO excited about their rapidly growing house! 

Morning roofing crew! Ross, Marcella, Nicole, Brigitte, Jamie and our intern Perla.

Katie finally got a hang of mudding!

Ben, looking very cinematographic.

Brigitte is also hilarious. Case in point.

Marcella ran off for the afternoon and took so so many GORGEOUS photos. This is one of the many.

Theo, having falling in love with the art of roofing.