Yesterday was quite an interesting day. Our crew has worked so hard and fast, that they laid ALL of the first load of 2,000 blocks. We thought they would average 300 a day...but in 4 1/2 days, all 2,000 were finished. The new shipment of blocks were suppose to arrive yesterday morning. So, the men did projects here and there around the property...patiently waiting. They were able to pour cement for 6 of the columns. We also hired another gentleman and his tractor to begin leveling the road leading into the property. He did an incredible job and the land received a tremendous makeover.
Luis and I spent the day driving all over Bachiniva and San Jose, looking to hire a forklift and driver, to help unload the 22 palettes of blocks. We had zero success. By 5:30, the blocks still had not arrived, so we called it quits and headed home, thinking the truck would arrive tomorrow. I was hungry and ready for an evening with my two ladies. I walked into the house, excited to be home and then I got the call..."the blocks are here, we need money and help to unload." There was nothing inside of me that wanted to go...but knew what had to be done. Luis, Nieves, Carlos and myself met up with the truck at the property to begin the unimaginable task of unloading 2,000 concrete blocks on 22 palettes, weighing a total of 22 tons...OR...about 44,000 pounds. The truck came with 3 men that we thought were to help unload...however only 1 of them was really helpful. The other 2 seemed more interested in their cigarettes and cell phones. They were cursing like sailors and it got to a point where Luis asked one of them, why are you swearing so much. He responded, "I'm sorry...i'll try to stop." The 3 of them were also shocked when we prayed before the work. Luis asked if it was okay to pray and one of them immediately said "no". Luis went ahead and prayed anyways, and afterwards, the guy apologized...he thought Luis was joking when he wanted to pray.
So, one block at a time, we began to unload...block, after block after block. As always you start off strong...thinking this is easy...until about the 50th block. The sun was setting fast and the rain began to fall hard. In my mind, I was thinking, Lord, what do you want to teach me here...and He gave me the song, Everlasting God...
"Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord, wait upon the Lord, we will wait upon the Lord. You are the Everlasting God, the everlasting God, You do not faint you won't grow weary. Your the defender of the weak, You comfort those in need, You lift us up on wings like eagles"
As Luis and I were singing that...I could hear Nieves singing, Psalm 121...
"I lift my eyes up, to the mountains, where does my help come from. My help comes from You, maker of Heaven, Creator of the earth..."
The Lord met us in our time of need in a great way...not only giving us strength to carry on, BUT, one by one, our workers began to show up and help. It was dark, cold, wet, sweaty, etc...and yet the joy of the Lord was our strength. Within 2 hours, all 2,000 blocks were unloaded and safely put away. We were rejoicing and praising God, not just because it was over...but because He gave us the what we needed to finish strong!
As Luis and I were climbing down off the truck, Luis said, "...we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us..." I said, amen brother...AND THEN...Luis continued "...and 3 advil...!" We both were laughing so hard!
All in all it was a wonderful day...and great way to lead into the weekend. Since its been raining so much the past 2 days and the roads are incredibly muddy, we will be working around the church tomorrow. We will finish some of the projects the MM12 team started...insulation, sheet rock, mud and tape and installing a few doors.
"But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall rund and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint" (Is 40:31).
