All of your prayers must have worked! We had 7 of our 11 return to the worksite today, and all 11 of us came to dinner. After a day of rest, hydration, and over-the-counter ciprofloxacin (yes, over-the-counter- this could have some street value in Baltimore...), we're getting back on our feet. It's amazing what a full day and a full night of sleep will do for you.
Despite only 15 volunteers at the worksite today, it was a productive day. Mel and Meg painted, Brad worked on the rebar frame, Kevin and Al worked on digging out one of the septic holes, and Jane and I worked on the chispa. Chispa is a cement/mortar mixture that is used in many capacities in the house-building production. For this function it is used as mortar. It's mixed very specifically and purposefully and needs to be used quickly. The masons lay down the bottom layer of the bricks (smart move), level them off and let us go to town. We're convinced they fix all of our errors during our break time. Perhaps that is why they let us break so often.
During our break, we had to pleasure of visiting the children's center, which is on the back half of the community center. The children come from 730a-1130am, and we caught them during their break time. They were very open to having visitors and an audience. Their teacher kept them on task, and after their snack was over, they diligently went to pick up their toothbrushes and headed out onto the porch. They were lined up in front of a plastic cup of water with their name on it, and the teacher came by and put toothpaste on each of their toothbrushes. Then we got to see how far they could spit. All I can say, it was wise to stand to the side.
Mel and I took a walk down the road where we built last November. We knocked on Ana Victoria's door, and she welcomed us in. We worked with her and her family (daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter) in building their house. They moved in it in December, in time for Christmas. Their gardens are beautiful, and they have a puppy named Ranger. It was so great to see them settled in their home.
We ended the day at mid-afternoon break. We were taken to the Mayan ruins- Tazumal. The ruins date from AD 100 to AD 1200. It's main excavation was mid-20th century, and it's believed that only 10% of the structures are revealed. It is said to be the best preserved ruins in El Salvador.
For dinner, we headed to the country club. Somebody must know someone, and it was a nice peaceful way to spend the evening outside of the city. It's likely not a country club by US standards (although I don't think I've ever been to one to compare), but it has a pool, tennis courts, gym, futbol field, etc. We took a dip in the pool and had dinner outside under a canopy of trees. We were joined by our Habitat friend, Cristina, and her husband, Juan Alberto. We had traditional Salvadoran cuisine- papusas, beans, cheese, slaw, plantains, and cornbread dessert. Delish!
We enjoyed another team meeting up on the roof tonight, and finished our evening prayer just in time for the rain to start. It's hard to believe the trip is half-over now...
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people..." -Galatians 6:9-11
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