This past week I've been working on building an extra bedroom onto a house. I never thought I would be the kind of person to love construction this much, but I really love what I've been doing. The house is Mario's, and Mario is the guy that does a TON for us here at the Project (our base). He basically runs the place on the Nicaraguan side of things. So we're building an extra room onto his house so that his son doesn't have to sleep in his parents bedroom anymore. I love that we get to be a blessing to Mario, because he blesses us every day in all the work that he does for us.
A couple of men from Bethel are helping out with the addition: Roberto, the mason, Juan Carlos, the gardener, and Fransisco, one of the guards. I love getting to work with these men and listen to stories about their families, and just hear about their lives.
Let me share a couple of my favorite moments from this past week with you:
1. When I tried to hammer a nail into a cement block. Not as easy as they make it look. Lets just say that all of us were laughing at my poor aim and weak hammer swinging muscles.
2. Whenever one of the girls had to do something that required a lot of strength, Juan Carlos would just say "Fuerza del buffalo!" which means strength of the buffalo. I laughed so hard every time.
3. When "My Heart Will Go On" from Titanic came on the radio, and the Nicaraguan men started asking me if I cry during that movie, and then proceeded to act out certain scenes from the movie together. It was priceless.
Now, let me share my least favorite moment from this past week with you:
Roberto and I were talking about work in the sugar cane fields, and I learned that Juan Carlos has the disease.
I've told you all before about the kidney disease that the men here get from working in the sugar cane fields. Before this week I thought, "Yeah, that's really sad, for them and for their families." But now that I actually know someone that has the disease, it's become really real to me, and it's devastating. I know Juan Carlos, I know his kids. I know how amazing of a man he is. And now I know that he has the disease, and I'm heartbroken for him. My heart hurts so much worse now that I actually know someone with the disease.
Please pray for these people. This disease touches everyone, in some way. Please keep them in your prayers.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle
and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
