Day Four --Another house was built and a community worshipped

What a glorious day.  We moved to a different area of the village of Santa Rosita today and began again the process of moving sand up the steep hill to an even higher location.  More people than ever turned out to help with this process as we had a long way to go to get the materials to the top of the hill.  One small bag at a time moved the sand pile at the bottom to the top.  We (the team) were interspersed among the locals which gave us an opportunity to interact with them.  While communication was not perfect, we all were surprised at how well we could exchange ideas and thoughts.  It seemed that we transferred a LOT more sand that the other times but that just gave us more time to get to know one another.


We stopped in the middle of moving sand to bring the pre-fabbed  panels up the hill.  This was done in a hand over hand type method with three or four teams getting the panels from the previous team and carrying them a little farther up the hill.

The sky was overcast today and, because we working higher up the mountain, the temperature was colder but still very pleasant.  The view from where I was standing was amazing.  even in the midst of all the poverty, there was still something majestic as we looked down on the valley below.

After lunch we returned to the hill (this time I stayed at the bottom near the original sand pile) and we worked until the sand had all been moved up hill.

We left there and went back to the first area where our bus was parked.  Alfonso, our in-country coordinator/foreman had arranged for sound equipment to be set up on a soccer/basketball court.  We all met there and had an impromptu worship service.  I played my guitar and Jose (one of our interpreters) also played and we sang as a group the song Shout to the Lord in both English and then Spanish. They liked it so much that they asked us to sing it again.

 Afterward, my friend Steve Paschall brought a short message about the hope that is found in Jesus Christ and the Love that compelled us to travel so far from home to bring the Love of Christ to this village.

Carla, another of our interpreters, translated for Steve.  After the message from Steve, Linda English, our team leader came and led the group in prayer.  She became very emotional as we all sensed the presence of God in that Place.

After the prayer the entire group began to dance to the music of Hillsong's United but with Spanish words.  The people here love to dance and it was so wonderful to see the freedom they felt to worship in dance.  Young and old alike began to dance.

What a glorious day!  Tomorrow we go back to Ophelia's home to build a rock wall and stairs to her house.  Please pray for the health of our team members.  We have had a couple of our team members who have been sick, one bad enough to be taken to a hospital.  Please pray for the people in this village who are beginning to find hope.  Pray for the people of Santa Rosita.