Highlights After Second Workday

We worked for a second day at the Cristo Rey temple site, where much of the same type of work was done. Some of the tasks teams worked on included digging 6 foot deep holes for footings through dirt, gravel and even some lava rock, cutting and assembling rebar and excavating the ground around the new structure for drainage…nothing our group of 23 couldn’t tackle.
After much needed showers and dinner we met for our nightly group devotions and talked about some of the highlights of our experience thus far. Below are some of what was said:
Brent Wagner–getting to see the excitement from the people who have participated previously that the church/temple was actually being built after many years of planning and working hard to raise money.
Denise Spry–the El Salvadoran workers from previous trips remembering the “candies” brought by our group from last year.
Maureen–it was great to see the inter-generational work. Both grandmas and young boys from the church help.
Becca Burson–learning to bend rebar, and taking a try at it and being told it was good by a local mason … and then watching him redo it.
Joe from Ohio — driving up to the church on Sunday and seeing the ground ready to build after many years of dreaming and planning.
Karla–(an El Salvador resident and Habitat employee, interpreter) from nearby being able to hear a local worker and a Sheridan group member communicate with each other despite the language barrier. One speaking Spanish and the other English…but somehow able to understand what each person said through actions and expressions. It is great to watch from afar, because I know what each person is saying, but I don’t want to get in the middle of them working it out.
Lisa King–Pastor Carlos’ sermon on Sunday was special, especially when he talked about angels not being creatures in the heaven with feathers, but that we are angels.
Regan Green–interacting with the children at the work site.
Roger Anderson–seeing all the progress after just two days. It’s amazing how the Holy Spirit empowers you to move beyond your normal capacity to get things done when you have a common goal.
Sten Eisentrager–how hard the young people alongside older members of the congregation work. Impressive work ethic and endless energy.
These are just few if the high points of the experience thus far…please keep the team in continued prayers as we continue to work on the footings for the Cristo Rey temple.