After a 4.5-hour ride in the back of a truck bed down a dirt road we were able to experience a town called Valle Del Sade. Upon arrival we were advised that we were the first international mission group that had come to the town. We had come to do construction for a church that had no roof.
Have you every wondered what it would be like to do construction without the access or knowledge of certain modern technologies? I can tell you that building a roof in Sade was an experience that has continued to broaden and expand my ability to solve problems with the tools that I am given. The tools that we were given included: an endless supply of bamboo chutes, some rope, paint, couple of hammers, metal beams, and a welder named Ricardo.
We all quickly acclimated to our given supplies and large portions of rice for our meals, but we were all easily distracted by the surrounding mountains and lush green vegetation. It was in those moments that God reminded me that he was there. Should I not live my life daily as though I am loved and one of God’s children? Does my attitude reflect this momentous and transformational thought? As the saying goes, “Attitude is contagious, is yours worth catching?”
It is very easy especially in these construction projects to get caught up in the lack machinery or knowledge, but what does that accomplish? Although the process was different the outcome will serve the intended purpose. I have been challenged to check myself, to ensure it is accurate for me to be described as an imitator of Christ. This is especially true to remember when language barriers exist, because appearance and body language become more crucial.
Consider this… If you were to strip your words away, would your actions and attitudes reflect what you would want them to? God continues to work through me and reveals and makes real these concepts of His love transcending cultures, language barriers, countries, and any other obstacle you can think off.
To conclude what happened with the church roof, we were able to get all of the old rotten wood beams out of the roof and replaced them with new metal ones. Unfortunately the rains slowed our progress and were unable to get the sheet metal up. However, we were told that this would be easily accomplished in another day.
Are you content? Satisfied? And living your life, as you are loved and important?
Philippians 4:11 states, “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.”
I challenge you to have an attitude of gratification and an attitude worth catching!
