A second great day is winding down here, and there's a lot of tired muscles and aching bones in the house. But the ache pales in comparison with the joy and humility we feel in serving.
Melinda-our homeowner-was invaded for the second time this week with a squad of 25+ builders ready for action. Vinyl siding, plumbing, electrical, carpentry and delivery of goodies for the children... brought blessings to both the givers and recipients. Much progress was made both inside and out under Vic's direction, and just about everyone on the team had swung a hammer by 6pm--even the kitchen help
Paul had an opportunity to spend some time with John, Melinda's father, for the past two days. He was a coal miner and had retired some years ago. However, when Melinda fell on hard times and financial difficulty because of divorce, he stepped in to help. Her house was an odd combination of original trailer, with incongruous additions added over the years, but never completed. A mismatched set of rooms, stairways and doors still had no finished floors, insulation or completed walls--framing without sheetrock had stood for years, and no siding on the outside. With three young children, a large financial burden, and no poor living conditions, Melinda was overwhelmed to the point of desperation. John helped keep the family upright by constructing his own small sawmill to support the family. This week, we saw personally his conviction to do all he can to help Melinda-- John has worked tirelessly alongside our team, and has expressed deep gratitude for our help with accomplishing this dream for his daughter and her family: a decent and safe home.
George spent the day at Hacker Valley today, with one of the Moms from the youth basketball camp--someone he met years ago, and still talks to when we are down here. He was chatting, and mentioned that he was looking for a closing scripture for today's session, and she started talking about her brother Thomas. It seems Thomas was a coal miner, and one of the men that died in the Sago Mining disaster, leaving behind a wife and 10 year old son. He was a youth paster who did tent revivals and spoke passionately about his savior. She wanted George to know his favorite scripture was Psalm 91. After reading it--George decided that was to be his message for the camp that day:
"Abiding in the Shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord that He is my refuge...and my God. In Him will I trust."
The synchronicity was clear. The dangers the coal miners faced DAILY, did not deter them from doing their best work, in the name of the Lord. In other circumstances--whether trials, or basketball, or family dysfunction.....the Lord shelters us all, in ALL situations. He used that to speak to the hearts of the children at the camp-K - 8th, and remind them to seek the Lord and honor Him in all they do.
Finally, Lorenzo claims there was a "Si Sighting" at the town pool today too!! Yes-from Duck Dynasty. Nobody could believe or confirm it was really him, until the photos are still under review!
The relationships we build--one person at a time, over the course of now 8 years--speak to the realities of all involved. Not just build buildings. Building bridges...that's closer to home. Ultimately, building relationships....THAT is what these trips are about.
