Workday 1

 Today was our first day of work. I was excited to go to the worksite because I knew we were going to the place we had worked the last time I came. I wanted to see how everything looked 3 years later. When we got there, I was happy to see the bench area was still there and that it looked great! During our introductions, which were right in front of that area, it was mentioned how much the area was used by the people who come to the clinic. That made me so happy! Typically, when I have done projects, I don’t get a chance to follow up and see how things are later. So, hearing how much the project had enhanced the clinic and helped the people there was awesome!

So, after introductions, we divided into teams. I stood back waiting to see where I would be useful at filling in a gap. Since I don’t know who would typically work together, I thought I’d just let everyone form groups and jump in somewhere. As it turned out, the group I joined was the group working directly next to the area my team did last time! We are making a drainage trench for water coming off the roof we built. So today we dug a trench in the concrete right next to the area my team made! How cool is that? Three years later who would have guessed that I would get a chance to continue enhancing the area we did before? Nobody had specifically remembered that I had worked on the other project because I came with a totally different group. So, it definitely wasn’t planned.

I got to work with a couple of girls who came with their dads. They are both juniors in high school and I had fun getting to know them and experiencing the youth mission time again. I have missed it. But, with the youth director and the parents of the youth here, I have not really had a chance to interact with them. But, it was a great opportunity to do so. And, they worked hard! Their dedication to getting the job done was inspiring.

Tomorrow, we get to concrete the edges of what we dug today. I always love when I’m here and get to do concrete. I get to spend a day doing what my son does for a living and it’s fun to share that experience with him. Of course, it’s totally different here than it is there. But, it’s still fun!

Tonight, we got a pretty hard rain. Perfect timing and much better than rain all afternoon as it was predicted. Most went back to their apartments. My roommates and I all came back to ours and had thoughts of playing scrabble. Instead, after setting up the board, we started talking and never did play. Instead, we shared stories and enjoyed getting to know each other better. I feel blessed that I am a part of this group that has welcomed me and made me feel like one of them.

So, where was God today? He was in the plans that allowed me to continue expanding the project from my last trip, in the experiences I had at work today, and in the conversations I had with the team.

Blessings,

Jennifer