The Roofs are on

All five houses have roofs - that is a big deal for two reasons. 

It means we can start stuccoing tomorrow and that means we will likely be done for the key ceremony on Friday.

The other reason is that it rained tonight and with the rain came a strong wind. The structures are now sound and ready to sustain this weather.

A local contractor has been used to pour the foundations for the houses to expedite the construction but also because two of the five homes need extra care in the construction of the foundations. That contractor is a business associate of Gilberto Figeuroa who works closely with Amor and has donated property for the Cienega project. Today the contractor whose first name is Jose' announced he wanted to be baptized tomorrow.

We  don't know the reason for this choice at this time. Certainly his relationship with Gilberto and his work with a couple key people on our team have contributed to this decision. It takes many touches for someone far from the Lord to make the decision to draw near. All the people who touched Jose' were unaware of where in the line of contacts they were - they just knew God was working through them. Today their witness was rewarded and another person was brought to the throne of grace.

Never give up - if the person you are praying for still has not answered God's call - the next prayer - the next encouraging word - the next act of kindness could make all the difference in eternity.

Cake is good but water is better

Some of the worksites have their walls together because their slab was already in place. However, the site Victor was asked to assist with not only did not have a slab they did not have a foundation and not only that but the foundation walls were three and a half feet deep. That meant there needed to be a ton + of fill to get the foundation poured without draining the bank with cement cost. Today they formed a bucket line filling each bucket with rocks and passing them along a line of 7 or 8 people. The work was hot, heavy and draining (the person filling the buckets was relieved every 15 minutes) but by the end of the day it was done and the foundation was being poured. See the LHCC Facebook for pics from Victor.

This morning Matt Somerfield reminded us that God's love is more like a river than a cake. If more than one person receives a cake they have to divide it up with each receiving a piece. But with a river no matter how many people dip their buckets into the river it's flow replenishes and there is a full bucket for everyone.

Being before doing

Getting back past curfew - yes we have a curfew. Since we are working and/or studying from 6:00-9:30 we have to be lights out @ 10:30. Don't tell. BTW Vic is the 'good son' tucked in on time. 

So here is the thought gleaned from a day of building houses, relationships and awareness of God's presence in the world courtesy of one of our speakers, Mark Yaconelli;

Be still for a time so you can

Behold what God is doing all around you in order to

Behave as God needs to accomplish his righteousness and justice in the world. 

Drinking water from a fire hose

Victor and I got started with a Leader Huddle at 7:15 today - I think I mentioned he is on the caretaker team - they make sure everyone is in the right place, are not doing anything that might be out of line with our purpose, and stand around telling war stories between sessions. Since the battle cry during worship is "Welcome to the Jungle" they refer to themselves as the Zoo Keepers. 

I catch glimpses of Remy as she moves from session to small group to team meeting to session - I am so proud to have her represent La Habra Christian Church. 

We had five sessions today along with small group meetings. The sessions were interesting as in Campolo's remind that we are winners because we started out as one sperm of 5 million and we won the race. We beat the 5 million to one odds. Our communion service focused on the trafficing of humans - a third for the sex trade and the rest for indentured/slave labor. We were reminded that Jesus came to set the captives free and as we turn a blind eye to industries that use indentured servants (kept in a labor because they cannot repay the person who hired them), exploited as with the people of Bengaladesh who rely on clothing and shoe manufacturerers who will only hire them for two months at a time paying pennies a day for sewing buttons and dying cloth, sold for sex. The issue is overwhelming and we were left feeling quite hopeless until other speakers gave us ideas for where the church has been successful and where we can begin to make a difference.

I led a session for the small groups to learn how they can overcome the differences in values and communication styles - had some fun with them. We had one group of non English speakers so Victor translated for me as I led that group - he led the discussion - they seemed to really have a good time with him.

We closed the night with Christmas Carols - a manger with the baby on stage - quite dramatic to think that God came to us as one who relied on us to keep him alive and nuture him to maturity. Kind  of how it is today. He relies on us to keep him alive for this world and present him completely so they see the whole Jesus for thier lives.

Building starts tomorrow - 6 AM meeting - but they have coffee!!!

Justice is love in a social context

Dr. Tony Campolo spoke to us in the opening Keynote address. He is a professor of sociology at the Eastern University and a Baptist Pastor. He is best known for his work to serve the lost and the lonely in this world. At the age of 80 he has not lost any of his passion for seeing the church bring God's Kingdom to this world.

As we went through the process of getting to know each other (I counted 7 countries including the Maldives) represented and broke up into our work groups (we are building 5 homes) and then into small groups within each worksite group (we are about 170 strong) I was reminded how large and powerful the Church of Jesus Christ is when we bring a focus to our purpose to bring reconciliation of Christ to the lost and the lonely.

Campolo reminded us that in every Gospel Jesus introduced his purpose for coming to us which was and is "to bring the Kingdom of God." I recommend you read Isaiah 65 where God through the prophet describes what the Kingdom will be like when it comes. That chapter becomes a blueprint for all local congregations joined together as God's church universal to join in introducing God's Kingdom to our world in our time and with our generation.

Tomorow we begin training to build for the rest of the week.

Blessings

Registration Begins

The 50+ Volunteers are arriving today and I am allowed to assit with registration. They are from the United Kingdom & USA with one lone Aussie who is speaking. It is interesting meeting them - most have worked with Amor at one point or another and all are committed to the purpose of creating an environment for families to enjoy the life God has for them.

Thought I should share this pic taken at the lagoon near the children's play ground this morning. No unsuperfised children allowed!!

First meeting of the volunteers tonight to hear from Tony Campolo. Looking forward to getting this thing started.

The Transition

There is a process for transition in life and in Anthropology we call "right of passage." While this phrase is usually reserved for such things as young boys going through a process - a hazing if you will - at the end of which they move from the Mother's residence to the Father's - I have found it applies to almost every transition. Even one so short as traveling from one contry to another.

In this process you start as a person from the States, for instance, with all that you are as a person there, to an in-between that is sort of a 'nothing.' You are one of many 'travelers' who are not permanent to life but an in-between. During that brief time, if you allow it to form in your mind, you have the chance to transition to who you will become when you land. I find this process useful.

I have time to consider what I have left behind and why I am making this trip. I am free from the responsibilities behind and am called to focus on the responsibilities to come.

Soon I will be an 'expert' in culture and leadership - even though in my past life neither are as important as my responsibilities as husband and father - Pastor and mentor. Leaving those last behind will help me best direct those I will be asked to assist at the Global Gathering. 

That we - as humans created by God - can be so flexible is a mystery to me. I tend to be rather intense in my roles and the creativity God provides all of us is focused on the time and place in which I am. So for now that intensity will find a new focus - though for a short time - and may God continue to grant clarity in this alternate life as I become Sherman instead of Pastor Sherman.