This month has been a challenging one. Emotionally. Mentally. And especially physically. Almost every morning we would do physical work. We worked on this property that will one day be an academy to train missionaries. Instead of people from the jungle going to Quito, and falling in love and staying, if they were to go to this academy, there would be a higher chance for them to stay in the jungle to minister to their own people. Good vision. Hard work.
We began by moving clearing an area to make a path. There was this HUGE rock semi in the way, but soon enough we gave up on trying to move it. We then moved rocks, by wheel-barrow in order to make a path. After that, we moved more rocks; pretty much a whole mountain of rocks from the highway to the work site, which involved a long rocky path, a steep hill, and a handmade bridge. It was quite an adventure. For many days we moved rocks. Many days we were tired of moving rocks, but we continued on until that mountain of rocks was conquered.
Trying to move that big rock. Yes by myself. (Taken by Emily)
We got a couple of days of machete-ing (and yes it is a verb in Spanish, machetear). It was terrible! Clearing this grass and weeds and trees that would only soon enough grow back. We cleared along the stream all the way through the property. Took us a good 2 hours of pretty much mowing by hand with a large blade in hand. One day we got to cabar (to dig) a latrine. So imagine you are inside this big deep hole, and have to dig more. While water is incoming and making everything more muddy. And your boots get stuck. And you fall over and then the people outside start a mud fight and while you have unlimited lodo (mud) you are unable to run and hide. The next day we begin the top for the bathroom. We mark off the top, build a base and then make concrete.
Me and my machete (Taken by Emily)
Work has been interesting. A good variety no doubt. Some has pushed us more than others (like machete-ing) and some has been more fun than others (mud fights) and while some has been more constant (moving rocks). But whether we are enjoying the work or despising it, we know we are working for the Lord and are seeking his approval. Though people who come to work after us may not know us or appreciate the work we have done this month, we know that we have made a difference that will last for who knows how long after we leave.
