The First Block House

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We are having a great time with the group from Freed-Hardeman. I think they are having a good time, too. They have built two wooden houses, distributed some food and led a couple of VBS's already. In addition to that, they have started the first block house. We have done the church buildings, some of the school buildings, the women's center out of block, but this is the first house.

The guys are doing this in true Honduran style. Sifting the sand, mixing the concrete by hand, the whole works. Since the house site is a little up from the road, they are also getting to haul block and buckets of sand and gravel up to the site. Thankfully, it is not too far up. I can say thankfully. I am not the one hauling any of it. As hard of work as this is, the times I have been up there, everyone is smiling and no one is complaining. And it is as hot as can be.

Yesterday I met the lady for whom the house is being built. Her name is Ana and she is the niece of our Anita that goes to our church and cooks the food for the dump everyweek. Ana has two children, a five year old girl and a one year old boy. Right now she is living with someone else. I told the little girl that five year old little girls are really special and that I have a five year old granddaughter in the United States. She smiled a big smile. Ana is excited this house is being built for her.

The house is 16' x 16' just like the wooden ones we build. It will take all week to finish. Should be done by noon on Friday. I know you guys that built the church building in Santa Ana in one week are thinking why so long. There is just five guys each day working on this house.

This is an awesome thing to watch.

Terri