I head home tomorrow to Colorado. This has been an amazing week. It was a such a joy to see kids running around all over the treehouse today. I've gained a lot of respect for the men on this trip. Sharing in such a simple, purposeful week has been a real blessing. Such a fitting way to celebrate Jon. Thanks to all those folks who made this trip possible.
Ed I hope you have a great fruitful week conducting health clinics and continuing to serve at La Casa. Your courage, humility, and leadership is inspiring. Ben you're a good boss. I'd work for you. Matt, Joe, and Mike. Killer climbing wall. Those kids loved it. Dan, that's the best ladder I've ever seen built for a tree house out of uneeven 2x4s. Dean, you play an old guitar that never stays in tune and sounded like a pro. Steve, your push-ups are legit. Matt, super glad you came. Orion, the photos rock. Take care fellas...
Friday, March 12, 2010
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Ben's foot
In case any of you had read Ben's first blog entry ever, you might want to take a look at this visual to go along with his bug bite story. Also, take note of this amazing sock sunburn line.
Day 4: Construction completed!
Day 4's construction on the tree house saw its completion. We started off by shooting a rope over a high branch for the future tire swing. Steve was the the first to test the rope, and the whole tree house moved several feet - requiring us to make major repairs before continuing on (just kidding!) Once that hurdle was passed, we moved on to finishing the railings and installing the rock climbing wall. Each member of the team installed a climbing hold on the wall so we all had a part in it. Later in the day, part of the group splintered off to paint the outside of the chapel on the farm. You can check out all the photos from today here.
Tomorrow the children from the orphanage will come to play on the tree house for the first time. It will be a blessing to see how this project will honor Jon by providing so much joy and happiness for the children.
this is my first time blog ever, its very exciting. i counted 26 chigger bites on my right foot this evening, i havent used bug spray and they crawl in your shoe. many people are having a push up contest on the patio, we know how to have fun on mission trips. we ate poopoosas and tomales for dinner, great . tomorrow we get to see the kids at the tree house, i hope they dont get any big splinters while we're there.
Thursday - Treehouse Completed
Today we began with Arion sharing his journey over the past 8 months....again team members were brought to tears. Out to the worksite to complete the railing, build a gate for the top of the climbing wall that can be removed when kids are on the wall, ladder sanded, & hand holds mounted to the climbing wall with each member of the team attaching at least one of the holds in place.
Half the team painted the chapel (inside and out) and returned to help clean up the worksite in anticipation of the children coming tomorrow to play and enjoy. We also put up the rope which will have a tire attached tomorrow. Mounted the board onto the tree that will have the plaque.
A common feeling amongst the team was that we wished we weren't finished as we all have so much enjoyed the time working together, sharing together, telling Jon stories together and just plain having fun.
Tomorrow we will have time to go to the artisan's market, lunch at the black sand Pacific beach and then back to La Finca to play with the children. God has blessed this trip amazingly and we have felt all the prayers from home.
Half the team painted the chapel (inside and out) and returned to help clean up the worksite in anticipation of the children coming tomorrow to play and enjoy. We also put up the rope which will have a tire attached tomorrow. Mounted the board onto the tree that will have the plaque.
A common feeling amongst the team was that we wished we weren't finished as we all have so much enjoyed the time working together, sharing together, telling Jon stories together and just plain having fun.
Tomorrow we will have time to go to the artisan's market, lunch at the black sand Pacific beach and then back to La Finca to play with the children. God has blessed this trip amazingly and we have felt all the prayers from home.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Wednesday began with Ben sharing his spiritual journey with honesty, candor and vulnerability rarely seen amongst men. Dean taught us a new song and we were off to Day 3 of construction. All the flooring was placed, the railing is 75% done, the ladder is complete & attached and the climbing wall has is boarded & holes drilled for hand holds.
This is such an awesome time of laughing, good natured teasing and hard work. Our "boss" (Ben) continues to amaze us all with his vision of the final product and he keeps us from losing too many drill parts and tools. We have learned to make due as the "Home Depot" is not just a few miles away...and does not have a supply of "everything".
This evening we had our meal "out" together at a local Italian restaurant. More than a few laughs as we tried to order from a totally Spanish language menu with a waiter who was not bilingual. Ben had a tough time trying to order his steak "well done" so the best we could do as a group effort was to ask for it "three quarters". Thankfully it was cooked to perfection.
Tomorrow, Lord willing, we should complete the treehouse & hang the tire swing plus a small group of us will spruce up the chapel with a new coat of paint. Many times throughout the day I can sense Jon nearby smiling. Thanks for all the prayers for us.
This is such an awesome time of laughing, good natured teasing and hard work. Our "boss" (Ben) continues to amaze us all with his vision of the final product and he keeps us from losing too many drill parts and tools. We have learned to make due as the "Home Depot" is not just a few miles away...and does not have a supply of "everything".
This evening we had our meal "out" together at a local Italian restaurant. More than a few laughs as we tried to order from a totally Spanish language menu with a waiter who was not bilingual. Ben had a tough time trying to order his steak "well done" so the best we could do as a group effort was to ask for it "three quarters". Thankfully it was cooked to perfection.
Tomorrow, Lord willing, we should complete the treehouse & hang the tire swing plus a small group of us will spruce up the chapel with a new coat of paint. Many times throughout the day I can sense Jon nearby smiling. Thanks for all the prayers for us.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)