Compelled by Love

April15th, 2009

Today saw our team working in several different places in and around the Santa Ana area. Our “Community Service Day” had many of the team working on laying concrete walkways (see pics) around some of the buildings at Casa de Esperanza (children’s home). For those of you who have previously had the privilege of enjoying that experience, you know what that’s like in the 90 degree heat.

A few team members worked raking and cleaning around the Medical Clinic on the property, while other members of the team served the community around the Cacui houses (small duplexes located in close proximity to the Children’s Home that house those living in poverty). These team members, who were also joined by some of the community residents, collected and disposed of trash and garbage in the area. Because of their poverty, a part of the property adjacent to the duplexes has ended up becoming their own mini-dump. While working in the community, team members also had an opportunity share in the life stories of some of those who had experienced a life of desperation, but yet still found purpose and meaning in their lives, and have maintained a great faith in their God. Truly we are humbled at times by such a faith they possess.

Later that afternoon, several of the team tore the existing roof off of a house we had built a few years ago that had suffered storm damage. The family got a brand new roof, with modifications to help prevent future storm damage. Additional families in the area also need this type of work, and hopefully there will be time to do a bit more in the area. In the meantime, many of the other team members were engaged in a casa-to-casa distribution of food bags for the poor in the area.

Later, the team took the children from Casa de Esperanza to a locally constructed “CROSS” (see pics) for the evening devotional. Notably, the timbers of the cross were plastered with “junk pieces” from old cars and trucks. Seeing those parts plastered on that cross was a poignant reminder, and an unusually effective analogy of how the Lord asks US to leave our “junk” at the Cross of Christ as well.

Before leaving for the Mission House, the team gathered behind Casa de Esperanza to plant a tree (see pics) in honor of the passing of Juanita Foreman, mother and grandmother to many of our team members. Our hearts and prayers are with Rebekah as she leaves us today to return home for her grandmother’s funeral and to be with her family. Our hearts also go out to Ashley, who is also leaving today for her aunt’s funeral and funding raising efforts in the States.