Croc 2017:  Day 7

Day 7, last work day.  As we started the day there seemed to be too many loose ends left to possible get completed but we managed to complete every project and a few other bonus items as well.  The big task for the day was to complete the new canopy cover to replace the pergola that we tore down earlier in the week.  Mike, Clark and Brady did tons of on the fly engineering and seemed to need to spend as much time repairing tools as they did constructing the roof but everything came out beautifully.  We also finished the wall at Peluche’s house, finished off the widened door frame, installed a kitchen sink faucet, re-hung a steel door entering the church courtyard, and painted doors, window frames and one side of the dorms.

It feels good leaving with all this work done but during our closing meeting we reflected on the week and most of our take-aways had more to do with the relationships the we created with the people of Croc and not the work.  We closed the week out by having a dance party at the Club House with many of the kids.  It was another day where we should have been too tired after our work but when we were surrounded by the excited kids we seemed to muster up enough energy to have a great time with them. 

Brad shared a reflection with the group early in the week, that in all situations God’s grace is sufficient, and we saw that so many times during the week.  Whether at the border, waiting for materials that never seem to show up, working in heat that our winter bodies don’t seem ready for, enduring a cut in the leg (ask Clark to see his scar sometime), but more importantly when we can visit with an old friend, Jonathan, who some watch grow from a child into a troubled teen who had friends that got swallowed up by all the dangers that Croc presents but in spite of that is now is a husband and home owner with a stable job and a bright future.  God’s Grace is Amazing.

Pray for safe travel and a safe border crossing tomorrow.  To our families, we are very eager to see you again soon.