Monday - work begins...

The morning started with Pastor Carl yelling..."Chris! GET UP!" We hit the ground running. Bryan and Carl started the day by going to get building materials while Chris began gathering materials that were already on the grounds of the school. The women (Robin, Sherry, Karen, Chelsea, Katie and Gail) took a short course in barcoding, covering books and entering them into the computer and shelving. Kristen gave us the instructions. We quickly began.
While at the lumber store, Carl and Bryan decided that a compound miter saw was going to be necessary to help get today's project underway. The saw and building supplies were purchased with mission trip donations and will be left for the school to use in future work projects. Construction began on the framework for the new stage and bookshelves in the library. The "stage" is to utilize a small area better. This will allow more students to be taught and read to in the library within the reading space. Underneath the stage will be storage space provided by a hinged floor. Another project that was begun by the guys was new shelving units for books that better fill the available wall space. Many more books will be able to be shelved and accessible to students, because empty wall spaces will be covered by books. It was a good day, a lot was accomplished. We are looking forward to another productive day tomorrow.
While the guys were sweating and slaving outside, the women were processing many books as outlined above. Katie and Chelsea also "Rebuilt Jerusalem". Actually, they were cutting out, laminating, taping together a Bible scene teaching tool. It made a book of cut outs into a really cool 3-D set. Another vital job for those two girls is that they are the entertainment committee. Chelsea and Katie kept us giggling all day - a welcome relief doing tedious work.
We ate three DELICIOUS meals provided for us by the kitchen staff at the school cafeteria. For breakfast we had eggs and rice. For lunch we had chicken and rice. And for dinner we had beef stir fry and ????? You guessed it RICE! We are not complaining though. It is fantastic every meal. And the fresh fruit and juices...tropical deliciousness. All of our family and friends will love to see all our pictures of the plants and flowers abounding in this beautiful place. Although few of us speak Spanish, the people here are gracious and welcoming. And we get along just fine with the communication skills of Bryan and Robin, Chelsea and Katie. We all plan to get a little extra rest tonight before going tomorrow to help cook for and feed some children in a very poor neighborhood. Cecelia is a local woman who does this daily out of her own means. And she is not a rich lady by monetary means - she just is rich in love and compassion. We look forward to it.