Well we have been in Mexico since Monday now, and we are having an incredible time. We are slowly getting to know the boys living here at St. Innocent Orphanage, and this week we have been working with a building team since Tuesday to construct a home for a family in need. It has been an awesome week so far!
You are probably wondering how the home building process works. Here it is layed out day by day:
Wednesday - Day 1: This is the day that the site gets leveled, and a frame is made to mark the perimeter of the new home. Next, we mix concrete! How you might ask? Well, it takes a lot of sand, a lot, of cement, a lot of stones, and some water... oh and a lot of muscle! The concrete slab is slowly poured, and by the end of the day, you have the floor of the home.
Thursday - Day 2: This is the day that the house really takes shape with the framing of the walls and roof. By the end of the day, the skeleton of the house is completed.
Friday - Day 3: Tar paper and chicken wire is added to the outside walls, windows/door installed, and roof completed.
Saturday - Day 4: Stucco Day!! The stucco is mixed (sand, cement, water) and then pasted onto the outside walls. It will provide a weatherproof coating and complete the house. Afterwards, the house will be blessed and the family will receive the keys.
Well... 1 house, 26 volunteers, no power tools, not bad for 4 days!
* So today is Sunday! The home has been finished and blessed! What an awesome day that was yesterday. The family was so appreciative! The father even had on a white T-shirt that he asked each team member to sign so that he could remember everyone.
Last night we had a wonderful Vespers service with the boys, which was really neat because many of the older boys participated in the chanting, while the younger boys serve on the altar. This mornin's Liturgy was also amazing : ) We stood next to one of the 8 year olds, who did follow along in his service book and sang for MOST of the service.
Looking forward to the week ahead!
