Over our first 6 days in Guatemala, we helped build a retaining wall (about 7-10 tires deep) at the orphanage that we have been staying at! This wall will keep the lake from flooding and eroding the property of the orphanages so that the children can play in the yard! We wheelbarrowed about 3 truckloads of boulders from one side of the property to the other side and then chucked them into the ditches on both sides of the tire wall! These stones were about 20-50lbs! The smaller stones were used to stuff the tires. Afterwards, we wheelbarrowed about 3 truckloads of dirt/clay to cover up the stones and level out the ground!
Sometimes, I’d pick up a chunk of the clay, ball it up and chuck it into the pit, leaving my fingerprints on that ball of clay. With time those prints will wash away.. or, they probably disappeared once the clay hit the rocks!
His fingerprints however, are embedded into His creation forever.
After a day of hard work, I could barely open my cramped hands or straighten out my fingers. But, after creating us and dying for us on the cross, He opens His arms to welcome us in.
After 6 days… we are, well, almost done with the retaining wall!! And when I look at, I think, “hmm..”. God, after 6 days of creating, He was done, looked at it all and said, “indeed it is very good”
On the seventh day, He rested. I on the other hand, will probably need a week to rest! ..not just the 7th day
I ended up with blisters on my hands and swollen feet from hundreds of red ant bites throughout the days. He loves His creation so much that He was willing to take nails into His hands and feet!
We had to use shovels, wheelbarrows, pick axes and many other tools. God, all He used was Words. He spoke and it was!
I ended up with sore muscles. He ended up with torn muscles and flesh as He bled for the sins of His creation.
Our retaining wall will keep water away from the property. His death on the cross gives us the strength, power and authority to not allow the enemy to enter into our lives.
