We began our first Habitat 'build' yesterday. It is taking place in Siler City, NC and is part of an entire development of Habitat homes being constructed. We are actually working on three different homes, located near each other in the development, at the same time.
Our day begins at 8:30 AM where we gather to meet the days volunteers, for safety reminders, job assigments and devotions before we break up and head to our various assigments. We are meeting different volunteers every day. There are people who work the same day each week while others come in larger groups on Saturdays (sometimes). We are working with two construction foremen/supervisors on the site, along with three Americorp youth. We are meeting, and working side by side, with lots of great folks. Funny thing is they all have an accent. What do you make of that?
So far Bob has been working at hanging siding, framing up walls for an addition and building a back porch on one house while Fran has been painting trim, puttying holes and setting nails and filling them in on finish trim work in another of the homes. Today Bob got the chance to work with the man who will be moving into the house (Arturo) and his brother. Their English is limited and his Spanish is non-existent so, mostly, they smile and gesture. Bob was not actually working at the same task but interacted with both men throughout the morning. It's a great program.
As far as the weather, we have had nice, sunny days. Yesterday it ended up in the low 70's while today was a little cooler in the low 60's. Nights turned quite cool yesterday when the temps dropped into the upper to mid 30's. We heard from up north that they were forcasting possible snow flurries! Seems a little early for that.
All in all we end our days feeling tuckerd and dirty but pleased at the work accomplished, the fellowship of the workers, and the opportunity of the experience. Todays devotional was based on James 2:14-18, 26: "What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do."..."Faith without works is dead."
It's a great reminder that we are all to be busy "doing" according to God's will and leading and not just giving lip service to needs we become aware of. May others see, by the way that we live and the way that we serve, that our faith is alive, meaningful, sincere, effective...that it's real faith!
God bless. We look forward to seeing you "on the road".
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