Day Three (Monday, July 7)

Today we got to work. After the cattle on the ranch gave us our 5:00 a.m. wake up call, we had breakfast and loaded into the vans. We went to a village called El Quebrachal which was about an hour's drive from the ranch. When we arrived, we pulled up to the school for the village. About 80 children dressed in white shirts met us in front of the gate to the school. It was a moment the village had been looking forward to for some time. They had a large banner the children painted with drawings from the village and words "Welcome to El Quebrachal."

Once there, the children presented us with paper doves they had made and sang us several songs with great enthusiasm. Even many of the parents and grandparents behind them sang the songs. We got to sing the song, "Allelu, Allelu, Allelu, Allelujah, Glorias a Dios." Then they echoed us. Scriptures of being one in Christ Jesus came to mind. Most of these villagers are Christ-followers like you and me.

The weather today was merciful. Overcast, a bit of a haze and in the mid-80s. Those of us who worked pouring concrete floors were hot to be sure, but it could have been much worse. In fact, this evening the haze has lifted and the lush green hills surrounding the camp are even more breathtaking.

Three teams worked pouring concrete floors and one team worked at the school with the children. School is done at lunch time, so after lunch the school team joined in the flooring. The villagers don't do what we do when we need concrete. We call the concrete company and they bring a big truck and fill our sidewalks or porches. Here, they haul the sand and the water to the site and drop off 120 pound bags of cement. Then everything is mixed on the ground out in front of the work site in a process called the "crater dance." I'll have to show you the pictures. The concrete is then hauled by hand in five-gallon buckets into the room. All manual labor.

Pouring concrete floors is a labor-intensive project, but labor is in abundant supply. Not only are the missionaries there to work, but the villagers also join in the effort. Within minutes of our arrival the place was packed with villagers young and old. Many joined in the crater dance and the rest were there to visit. Building relationships with the locals is also part of the mission.

The best part of the day was the children. Children are children. Bubbles make them laugh like they make our children laugh. Seeing themselves on the camera, especially the video camera, makes them laugh like it makes our children laugh. They were so much fun today.

In this area, not only is farming big, but so is cattle ranching. The ranch on which we are staying is a working ranch. I think some will be milking cows in the morning. Some of the cattle are for milking and others, well, let's just say I was aware that the roast beef we had for dinner probably didn't travel far to get to our plates.

For devotional tonight, we all shared how God is in control, God has not abandoned any of us and how delighted God is with us and the villagers. We sang songs, then headed off for a quiet time of reading, visiting and settling down for the night.

I'm going to bed soon. Those cows are early risers and, as a result, so are we.

Buenas noches.