Jacob’s Ladder: Day 2
We worked on the windows all day yesterday. They're not so much "windows" as they are shutters. . There's no glass, and really no need for it. They're just shutters that they can close and lock.
At prayers and discussion last night we were asked how God has called us. I talked with jack about my experience, and then shared it with the group. I didn't realize it until then that God sent me to police work. For so long I thought God wanted me to be a priest. I asked Him, "What else can I do?" I knew I felt called to be a cop, but I didn't know until last night that I was being called by God.
Today, we finished the windows and made some doors as well. the other groups made great progress as well. They're building a new pavilion for the children to use. Tomorrow we'll be putting gutters on the roof of the existing pavilion so they can catch rain water. There's not really any running water here. All of the water is brought in by a tanker truck, and is put in tanks on the roofs. Gravity brings the water into the sinks, toilets, and showers. The showers don't really "flow," they dribble. It's expensive to bring in water too, so being able to harvest the rain water will help.
Jacob’s Ladder: Day 1
We woke up at 6:00 and met for morning prayers. We then had breakfast. We split up into groups and started on our projects. Dad, Andrew, Dan Smith, and I started on adding frames for the windows i one of the houses. The bottom half is cement, the top wood. Each of the windows are different sizes, and none of them are squared.
Martha’s House and Jacob’s Ladder
We ended up leaving after walking the kids to Mass, and going to Mass ourselves at St. Pius X. Mass was beautiful, especially the music. We ate outside the church after Mass and headed to Martha's House. Martha's House is a home for children with HIV/AIDS. When we walked into the play and TV room all of the kids (ages 1-8) looked up and sprinted to us with they're arms spread open. One boy, Tyrice, jumped into my arms. I gave him a big hug and we started playing with blocks, books, other toys, and each other. He immediately began climbing on me like my nephew Tyler. Towards the end of the stay, he disappeared among the other children. Our group leader, Chris, told us that we had to go. Before I could stand up, Tyrice was standing in front of me in near tears. I gave him a hug and told him that I loved him and would miss him. As Chris said that night, the children loved us "recklessly." Tyrice knew nothing of me, but loved me with more love than a three year old should be able to give. It was truly God's love shining through.
After Martha's House, we went to another similar house with only seven boys. They had a steel drum which I got to play. We didn't stay long because we had to pick up four more from the airport. They had missed their flights for various reasons. From the airport we went to another of the Mustard Seed Communities, Jerusalem. I'm not sure how many people live there, but I believe it's the largest community that have as of now. They have a garden, chicken farm, fish farm, and the children make things that they sale. We then traveled what seemed like a couple of hours up a mountain and through the country side, and ended up here, at Jacob's Ladder. We'll be here for the rest of the week building new buildings and finishing others.