We woke up this morning with plans to complete the sidewalk. As soon as I walked outside I knew it was going to be difficult. You see, Casa de Luz is located right on the coast. You can see the Caribbean Sea from the orphanage property. As I walked out of the hotel, also located right on the water, I saw nothing but dark skies out over the water.
We have had rain everyday while here. We had expected wet weather, it is the rainy season, but we have had an unusually large amount. The rain has kept us from get things done. Pouring concrete in the rain isn't fun or easy. We had hoped that we would get a break today and be able to complete the sidewalk but when we saw the clouds on the horizon we feared it wouldn't happen.
We decided that we would get as much done as possible before the rain came. We had barely gotten out of the bus when the skies opened up. It was raining harder than it had rained all week. After waiting for about half an hour we got enough of a break to get started. We decided to use plastic and tarps to cover the cement mixer and sidewalk and work through the rain. I will post pics of the set up. It was really quite ingenious.
We had a long way to go but with determination we plowed forward. Everyone pitched in and by the end of a long and hard day we not only completed the sidewalk but also a pad inside the garden for wheelchairs. Hard work and determination were part of the equation but more importantly a since of purpose pushed us on.
You see, the purpose behind building the sidewalk in the first place was so that the children in the wheelchairs could go down and enjoy the prayer garden. None of them had ever been there. The path was too steep, rocky and most of the time muddy and overgrown. The sidewalk will allow them to see the garden, spend time outside and enjoy the peacefulness there. It is a great place under the mango trees and filled with butterflies. The pad at the bottom will allow them to be rolled down and parked comfortably and without fear of getting stuck. That is what motivated us. It was the reason we decided to do whatever it takes to complete the project.
I am so proud of each member of the team. Today they showed what mission work is all about. Flexibility, determination, hard work and cooperation are all apart of a successful trip but most important is a sense of purpose. Today the team set aside their own agendas and despite the conditions let their desire to provide this place for the children drive and give them energy.
There is a beautiful new sidewalk and wheelchair pad at Casa de Luz. Awesome!
No comments:
Post a Comment