Emotions That Come With A New House

Many times I have told the elation and thankfulness that comes when a family has a house built for them.  But, I have never shared the emotions that some families have before that house is built, especially if they have an existing house.

I have had several new houses.  Most were not brand new, but they were all new to me.  Each time there was an excited anticipation.  Most of the houses involved a corporate move which was always long and drawn out.  I was always ready to be in my new house, get settled and get in some what of a normal routine.  Yes, relief was always an emotion I felt.  After arriving in a new city, sometimes we had to stay in a hotel for a day or two until we closed on the new abode.  But we always had a place to say.  I was never ever scared about moving into a new house.

Yesterday, two houses were built in Lomas Diamonte.  One of the families had an existing house that had to be torn down.  The house had one side that was card board and three sides that were tin.  Not a very good house.  On Monday, the team had to do a lot of digging and moving of the mountain and such to make the lot as large as possible.  This family was thankful they were getting a new house.  When the group left on Monday afternoon, there was some fear.  Some of the family were just plain scared.

Their house, such as it was, was being torn down.  What if something went wrong?  What if the gringos did not finish the new house in one day as promised?  What would they do for one rainy, windy night without a place in which to sleep. Without a place to stay dry?  Would the children get sick if they got cold and wet?

I always knew I would have a place to sleep, even when I left one house and it would be several days before I was in the next house.  I have never known that kind of fear.  I try to imagine what that fear was like.  And, I can't.   But, it sure drove home an important point of finishing the houses in one day.  Even a tear down, which takes longer has to be finished in one day.

Praise God, that two houses were built yesterday and that two families slept dry last night.

Upcoming Groups

If you are interested in working with a group this year, you still have plenty of opportunities.

Saturday, October 19, a small group from California arrives.  They always welcome anyone to join them.

Thanksgiving work week from November 23-30.  This is a week dedicated to building houses.  You also get to eat a traditional American thanksgiving dinner with the children and staff at Casa de Esperanza.

Jesus Banquet.  The Jesus Banquet is December 5.  People come and go all week to participate in that and other activities.  Please don't plan on arriving on December 5.

Another work week December 6-14.  The goal is build 30 houses.  It will take a lot of people to get that accomplished.

Anyone is welcome to come for any or all of these group.  Please let me know soon.

If you can´t come this year, groups are already forming for next year.  Find one that works for you.  We would love for you to come.  Anytime.

Terri

Team Ada

Today the first of the fall groups arrived.  A group of 26 from Ada, Oklahoma are here and ready to work.  As with all groups, the travel day is long.  This group left Ada at 2:30 this morning.  After lunch and getting checked into the mission house, the group came to Casa for bit.  Then the group and most of the kids loaded into the bus and went to the Cruz de Chatara for a brief devotional and communion.

It was time for the sun to set.  A bit cloudy, but still beautiful.

It was a great way to end the day and start the week with team Ada.

On A Lighter Note

Yesterday was an awful day and we continue to pray.  But, all days are not awful.

Sunday afternoon I was walking from my house to Casa.  I heard a lot of screaming.  It was not angry screaming.  It was happy screaming.  I turned the corner and realized I had to go back to the house for my camera.

This is what I saw:

One kid was getting in an old tire and one or more was pushing.

They raced.

Katy was able to stay on the tire as Brayan pushed.

Fernando, too.

One kid in the tire, one on top.

Jackson could walk it without anyone pushing him.  And, he could do it for a long way.

And, picture for fun.

The employees, Doris and Kathy were pretty nervous about this fun, until they saw me laughing and taking pictures.  Then they loosened up some.  A little.

The kids wanted to put a kid in each tire and another push and play bumper cars.  I allowed that for about three seconds. I knew someone would surely get hurt in bumper cars.

After having this much fun, no one minded washing their clothes on the pila.

A Sad Day

We have a child that needs psychiatric help.  As I have said before, these children have had a hard life and seen and experienced things most of us cannot comprehend.  And, some of them cannot process these things well.

It was one of those crazy Monday mornings.  Some of the children had school and some did not.  The houseparent in the little house was leaving for her days off and had to be checked out.  Marc and Matt were leaving with the child at the same time the houseparent was leaving.  The other children were not wanting to do their chores because they were wanting to spend every second of time with the child leaving. 

As the child and Marc and Matt got in the car to leave, I was trying not to cry.  Ana sobbed.  I hugged her and prayed with her.  And the tears began to flow from my eyes.  Katy was crying.  I picked her up and hugged her and carried her around for a bit.  I brushed her hair in an attempt to be soothing.  Nothing worked for her.  Jose was curled up in Nicole's lap crying.  Nicole was trying to comfort him.  She, too, was crying.  Fernando, too, was crying and snuggled up to Nicole and Jose.  Then Ana buried her head in Nicole´s shoulder.  And Cindy crawled in my lap with Katy. 

Of course, I was sad.  And, probably would have cried even if the kids had not.  But, as the other kids were hurting so badly, I hurt even more.  Everyone's heart was hurting this morning.

Katy was the only one that was crying and had to go to school.  I encouraged her to settle down.  I always ask one of the children to pray for the day before we leave for school.  Today, was no exception.  It was a subdued ride to school this morning.

Please, please pray for the child that left this morning.  Pray that that one will soon be home with us and pray for the other children and as they try to come to terms with one child being gone.

Sisi

Today Ana had plans to attend a youth group outing.  She told me early in the week what she needed and we had those things ready.  She was really excited.  She knows the rule that her chores have to be done before she leaves.  Today, her chore was folding clothes.

This morning church lasted a really long time.  We sat down to eat as soon as we returned from church and clothes were changed.  Cindy had to take the clothes off the line.  Ana could not fold the clothes until Cindy took them down.  When Cindy gets in a mood, there is really nothing to be done. 

Cindy walked outside as slowly as possible and began to take the clothes down, moving without a worry in the world.  Ana went outside to help Cindy and was told her help was not needed. 

Ana came back inside and was standing anxiously at the window watching Cindy take her sweet time.  I was thinking Ana should not be punished because Cindy won't do her chore.  But, I am thinking to myself if I tell Cindy she has to do her chore and Ana's she will be in a worse mood.  And, no one wanted to deal with that. 

I was thinking about what to do.  Ana is not crying but panic is written all over her face.

Everyone could see what Cindy was doing.

Sweet Sisi walked up and asked what time Ana had to leave.  I told her 2:00 and it was close to 1:15.  Sisi said, "I will help Ana fold the clothes so she doesn't have to not go:"  Sisi got a hug from both Ana and me.

It is moments like this, when you think,  maybe we really are making a difference.

Grades

Today was the day that grades came out for the seventh and eighth graders.  Brayan and Pamela had all passing grades.  Pamela even had some grades that were in the 90`s.  A most definite improvement.  Antonio only had one failing grade and it was just barely failing. 

Everyone has worked hard during the third partial to attain these grades.

Well done Pamela, Brayan and Antonio.