Blocks and mortar

As you would guess from the title, we started laying bricks today. Day started off well (we decided to bring everyone with us today) with cinder blocks, sand, cement powder and water being carried upstairs. From there we sift the sand, mix the cement with the sand, mix, add water mix, mix some more and some more. Then it's ready for use, meanwhile in 32'C heat you can watch the mortar dry even in the shade, so you add more water and continue to mix.... pretty much for the rest of the day. The mortar is placed under and between the blocks, and the whole wall is tied together with concrete pilars and horizontal lintels we will pour later, but we are busy making the rebar columns for already. This is difficult and fulfilling work. Today seemed a bit more somber, after all we didn't leave anyone behind, and start out with a big laugh. We had one person feeling a bit off health wise, nothing serious and he's already seems much better. I would imagine the excitement from starting a project has faded and now we see the amount of work ahead just to finish the construction that will use up the supplies that were purchased. A job of bending steel ties for the rebar columns that Dan and I were competing to do yesterday, we were  greatfully taking turns on. I could tell Dan needed a change when we heard him singing "I am slowly going crazy, 1-2-3-4-5-6 switch ...", you know the rest. Kelly, Nick & Robert did great building the rebar columns we need. Tim helped all over, which proved all the more we should never leave him behind.  Tim mixed mortar, hauled sand, helped build columns, mixed mortar, sifted sand, mixed mortar....  Dan, Curtis & I also rotated around doing various jobs, and yes at some points of the day, can you guess?  Mixed mortar. So far we've had a few interesting ideas and building practices, from our local contractor Pierre. Art has dealt with him very well, giving direction when it's necessary yet remaining silent on subjects that are of less significance. Art is a fantastic leader to have with us, it has been great to get to know him and work beside him.  We have a great team, and yet I would be neglectful to not mention the help from those in the church community here. Some have participated at various times sometimes for extended periods of time. This has given us many opportunities to learn more Creole and grow relationshis.   

One relationship I would like to share with you about is Brother Durand. He is the son/in-law of Pastor Furnell, and fills in whenever the pastor is away. Brother Durand (I'm not using his full name because I don't know who all see's this blog so I won't disclose his personal information) has taken time off his job, in a highly respected position work along side us, translate for us, feed us lunches, drive us to and from the hotel/church and even make a bed in the middle of the day because he felt his guests were tired. We have talked to him about his two week leave, and from what we understand this is not paid vacation or anything like that. He would probably be considered middle class here, but that doesn't mean his sacrifice of loosing pay will not affect his family. One part of our understanding we are trying to grasp is what is the responsibility of this church here and how much as Canadians should we help. We have been considering this. If you could please pray for us with some of these decisions, continue to pray for us as a team and please pray for our host brother Durand and his family.