So there I was, laying on my back on top of a half-built house, balancing on a 2×4, staring up into the sun, trying to hammer two pieces of wood together, sweating like a pig and wishing I had had this task at the beginning of the day and not the end, when one’s arm has turned to rubber. I thought to myself as I laid the hammer on my chest to dry the grip(read: rest) that I was one lucky guy. Why? Because I get to do manly construction and be in the great outdoors and watch amazing clouds and see all kinds of animals wander by and meet incredibly nice people and work with brothers in Christ from a world away, all in the name of service to the Lord. It’s a pretty sweet deal.
The views from the housetops are, for starters, incredible. The landscape is so amazing. It’s just crazy. Sometimes I just put the hammer down and look around. When there is down time or we are waiting on lumber, we talk to the other workers and learn a little more Spanish and very little Miskito. These guys are awesome. Wonderful men of God who have diverse backgrounds and a desire to serve their fellow Nicaraguans because the Lord has put it on their heart. Good stuff. This area is extremely remote and hurricane relief is present, but sadly inadequate. Pastor Earl in Puerto Cabezas (our outstanding host) has committed to rebuilding an entire community out in the bush. The locals come and volunteer their time to help replace what was lost. Its cool to see people helping to pull themselves up by their own bootstraps.
So when my arm hurts and I’m sunburned and I’m tired and just want to lay in the shade, I remember that its not about my arm, its about the shelter the homeless that God is providing through me.
