FHC Youth - Bottles and Hammers

12/18/09 - 5:30 a.m., still dark outside, a very small portion of the group headed out on a 3-mile walk throughout the city. 7:00 a.m. was worship, followed by a delicious and nutritious breakfast. Hitting the road at 8:00 am, most of the guys went to build a house while the ladies and the remaining men went to the malnutrition clinic. The winding roads and hazardous driving couldn’t distract us from the beauty we saw on our way to the clinic.

When we arrived at the clinic, the first few kids we saw were shouting, “they’re here, they’re here!” And as we unloaded the bags filled with toys and medicine, tiny faces peeked around corners and appeared in the hallways looking at us with eager anticipation.

We then went on a quick tour and got straight to “work,” holding and playing with the babies.

Meanwhile…the guys were hard at work building a home for a woman, her daughter, and her grand-daughter. They tell us that it is a common occurrence to have the husband leave, when conditions get bad, in search of work. Some find work and send the money back home, but most are never heard of again.

The home can only be described as a shack down an embankment that stood directly in the path of a flowing river during the heavy rains of summer. The small 500 sq. ft. home, made of tin and branches from the nearby trees is all that the family can afford. A small wood burning stove in the back was being used to prepare a modest lunch.

Demolition went quick and the guys jammed; being far ahead of schedule. They successfully relocated the front door – in order to abate the storm runoff – and set the rough lumber timbers in preparation for the finishing of the roof and walls. Upon completion it still won’t be much compared to what we have, but it will be dry, warm, and clean.

Everyone had their own unique experiences today, and we got the chance to share and talk about them after our fulfilling dinner. Many people explained how they saw God throughout the day along with expressing their desire to shed their selfish ways. We all agreed that by coming on this mission trip, we’re all getting the best Christmas gift ever!