The majority of our week was spent on a construction site and in family’s homes. We partnered with Caminul Felix, an organization who brings orphaned and abandoned kids off the street and gives them a home with a Christian mom and dad to raise them.
We worked construction, building two apartment units that young adults who have been through Caminul Felix’s program have the opportunity to own for their selves. It operates much like Habitat for Humanity and one future homeowner was there that week to work on her apartment unit with us. Her name was Michela.
The reality is I am not gifted in the area of construction or home improvement. I am in gifted in identifying what I what done to my home and then asking my husband to make it happen. The reality is also that this was the part of the trip I was least looking forward to. Give me orphans, abandoned kids, state programs, families all the live long day. But God showed up here in many real ways. For one, he gave me what I needed to actually enjoy the process of building something for someone else. I honestly had fun and can’t even believe that is a real sentence. However, I am not eager to jump into any home reno projects of my own.
The team I worked with was fun and we had a blast. We were led by two team leaders who had two very different ways of leading teams. Dan was sweet and encouraging and made you feel like you knew exactly what you were doing. Benny was no nonsense. He tried to be encouraging, but it went much like this “wow, good job” and in the same breath, he would take down what we did and redo it. It was not threatening and became quite comical. And there were many lessons learned on this job site, including seriously do it right and good the first time will save you time in the long time. I was on Benny’s team. I like Benny. He taught me much.
Each evening following construction we would clean up and head out into the village to be welcomed into a family’s home for dinner. These families consistent of a mom and dad who said yes to the orphans and abandoned kids of the state. These families were given up to 12 kids to raise in their home as their own. It was an example of ultimate sacrifice.
These families function autonomously, but they are part of a larger community. This is a clear calling to obey the Lord’s commands to care for the orphaned.
Each evening a feast was prepared for our team of 14 and many nights we had an extra one or two joining the table with us. We would eat, talk, and play with the kids in the home. In two hours, you felt apart of their home. A game of UNO, a high five, and a smile can break down all language barriers.
These homes I know have seen their share of hardship and challenge, and devastation. They also have seen love, sacrifice, and warmth. They have seen God work in miraculous ways. I saw well adjusted kids who wanted to be loved and accepted and those parents who have said yes, I will do that well.
What needs surround your community?
What is God leading your church to embrace? How can God use your yes to impact a generation?
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