Day 8 (Monday) - Brick by brick

Monday, August 5.... NOT FINISHED

Backtracking a bit here, on Saturday the church leaders as well as pastors from neighbouring churches, joined together at St. James Church and then went out visiting church members asking them to contribute to the church building. They were "stalled" in construction because the money ran out and they needed more cement. On Sunday, there was a form of an altar call and people came forward with contributions towards the building... this included a goat, several chickens, eggs, corn, tomatoes and even some cash. The perishable items were auctioned off for more cash.

Because of the successful fundraising, the villagers were determined to continue work on the church while we were still here. After devotions at the FH office this morning, they wanted us to wait at the office until they were ready in the village to start laying more bricks. BUT, we asked if we could proceed to the village because there were still many children who needed to see the videos from their sponsors, and others needed to tape their reply videos to bring home. It turned out to be a very productive day. Ashley and Matt spent many hours showing videos to one child at a time, waiting while Steven or Molex coached the children and had them practice what they would say, and then Ashley would video them. It was a very slow process and involved a lot of waiting. After the child was finished, then Sara would take a portrait photo of each child. By late afternoon, Sara released Matt and Ashley to go play with the children. Huge thanks to the 3 of them for persevering. There are only 3 children left to show videos and tape reply videos.

While the "film" crew was working, Erin, Miranda, Brian and Jennie had lots of different adventures. At one point they went over the the church building to see if they could help. There were some young, able bodied men, who had built a scaffold and were beginning to lay bricks on top of the structure. We found out later that these men were skilled brick layers who chose to not go to their jobs (and therefore, gave up their regular wages) to work on the church and receive only a pittance. Erin, Jennie and Miranda carried a few bricks (Erin is by far the strongest and pushed the wheelbarrow). Brian was busy taking photos. The church leaders wanted us to at least symbolically help because we are partners in all the development in Marare.

The brick layers really didn't need their help so Jennie, Erin, Brian and Miranda went back to interacting with the small children who weren't in school and visiting with some of the ladies and FH staff. Erin was blowing bubbles, singing action songs and making up games to play with the small children. Miranda wandered into the existing church building and found a class with no teacher, so she began singing songs with them. The teacher arrived and announced it was break time, so they all went outside and kept singing. Erin arrived with her entourage of small children and she and Miranda taught the children some songs. The best arrangement was when they asked the children to sing... these children love to sing and are very good at it!

Jennie spent some time watching the video process. Stephen was so gifted in helping the children figure out what to say and encouraging them along. Later she, Brian and Miranda were sitting outside the hall in the shade and a crowd began to gather. Somehow the conversation turned into English lessons.

There is some "healthy competition" going on between Sara and Brian with regard to photography... competing for the best shots and constantly comparing cameras.

There are 2 older ladies with the name Alice... one speaks good English and the other speaks no English (who I will call Alice #2). Alice #2 has taken a real shine to Miranda and goes into a prolonged greeting, including some dancing and singing whenever they meet. Today she was sewing and Miranda watched and helped her in a small way, which resulted in many thank you's!

Most of the children are dismissed from school by 4 pm and that's when the games begin. David was hoping to run AWANA, but somehow various games and activities formed by themselves. There was a netball game going on with the older girls and women, with Ashley taking part. Matt spent a long time with a group of children and a circular tug-of-war rope (from the AWANA supplies). Erin was with her usual group of many small children, just having fun together. Miranda spent some time taking pictures of children and then showing them the images on the small screen of the camera... they love that and tend to swarm anyone who brings out a camera. At one point, she was able to sit on the grass with a group of girls and have a great conversation. Brian was directing what looked like some volleyball drills.

Sam, the FH staff member who cooks for us, has a strange sore on his leg. It looks like a hole in his leg and is very swollen around the main site. We have so wished that we had a medical person on the team. Miranda has been doing her best cleaning the site with antibacterial wipes, trying to squeeze out the infection and applying clean bandages. It is quite painful, but Sam never complains. We have encouraged him to go to a doctor, but he said unless the infection was throughout his body, he wouldn't go to a doctor because of the cost. We don't realize how blessed we are in Canada.