Wed. Jan.10, 2001

5:30 a.m.

We awake to crispness in the air that is so unlike last year's experience. The kitchen crew is starting their morning work as the rest of us take our turn in the bathroom. I know they must still be tired from all of yesterdays travel. A dog that barked all night has finally gone to bed, as we don't hear him this morning. Less than half of us had been able to shower when the water stopped. Moses and a few others were all soaped up at the moment of shut off. Times like these will show what character a person carries. I am happy to say we have some sweet people residing with us.

6:45 a.m.
Breakfast is served. And is enjoyed with gusto.
7:15a.m.
David Thompson gave the worship; the topic was on the privilege of nailing our sins on the cross.
8:00
The bus arrives and the workers hastily load on, the adventure of the day being eagerly awaited by all. The medical and dental team will be working very close to the construction site. The first day will always be the most confusing as we struggle to put plans in place and take care of details that can only be settled after the start of production.
One of the problems to be solved today will be how to gracefully feed our workers with the hundreds of local people, most of who could use an extra meal,looking on. It will be a most difficult situation to solve.
Please join us in prayer for the solution.

5:00p.m.
The bus just pulled in with all our willing and tried workers. There is much laughter and excitement as they head to the showers. A meaningful days work never dampens the spirit. Even when the body slows from exhaustion, the spirit seems to soar with vitality.
6.00 p.m.
Dinner is served and then we hear of the highlights of the day from several workers.
Stuart Dixon told of a lady that came to what will be the optical office. He had been looking for a table to use to stack the glasses. A cement slab was chosen, and the woman, brought him over her sheet to cover the table so it would look nice. She then told him that if the sheet were not large enough that she would take down the curtain that covered her window and bring that to him. Now this might not seem such a great sacrifice until you remember that these people would not own more than one or two sheets at the most. She was so grateful for what was being done in her neighborhood that she wanted to contribute to the cause.

Tresa Young was guarding one of the supply rooms at the site and a woman came to her and brought her a little ceramic animal. She told her that it was the Lamb of God. The heart of these people is so kind and they are just so thankful. All of our conversations are done through an interpreter, and if there is not one at hand we must have the people wait until we call one to help us.

I was given a tour of one of the local homes today. The woman had been busy scrubbing her laundry in the back yard. She has to carry water from the community water spigot to accomplish this. She was the grandma and the 6 children belonged to her daughter. They all lived together in the little 2-room house that she was so proud to have. Her daughter works as a waitress and the government provides a bus to pick her up and bring her and many others to work. Most of the children had runny noses and all were very dirty. There was a 100-pound bag of corn on the floor next to one of the two beds. The bag was open and corn was spilled out amongst the clothing that was covering the floor. The only furniture the house contained was one double bed and one single bed, a single kitchen style chair but no table. They did have a refrigerator but it did not work, and she used it only for storage of the very little food she had. The chickens that produced the eggs the family consumes are thought of very highly and they are allowed free roam of the house. While they did like the taste of chicken, and would eat someone else's chicken, the thought of eating one of theirs was unthinkable. A pig was in the little tiny yard and they would let him grow and sell it for money. Beans were cooking on her outdoor stove and a pot of cooked rice was left uncovered on the ground covered by fly and I am sure the chickens had already had their fill. It is only by the grace of God that these people have survived at all. Some of the people are cleaner than others, but mainly it is a case of lack of education. While it would be wonderful for us to be able to teach them academics, the most immediate need is for healthful living practices. So on Friday night we will be presenting a healthy living class.

Bruce Williams, DDS decided to get a jump-start on his dental ministry. He pulled 17 teeth today and the clinic isn't even officially opened until tomorrow, I wonder how many mouths will be feeling pain free when the two weeks are up? What a blessing this will be. Anyone who has ever had a toothache will understand.

Marayma Claudio scored a huge hit for the side of all females tonight when she beat Roy Kellerman Jr. in a game of basketball. The score was 21 to 7. Mayrama had confidently strutted on to the court warning ahead of time that she was "bad". She was right!

Tomorrow is the official big day. The clinics open at 8:30

Remember to P.U.S.H. (pray until something happens)

Your smiling reporter,

Jennifer Young