day four--half done with pouring

Today was an excellent day all around. Breakfast, devotions by Steve Bryan, worship at sunrise and the presence of the Lord made this morning perfect. The weather was beautiful. Hot Jamaican sun, lovely cool breeze, gorgeous view, good friends and six concrete trucks and only one glitch. Perfect, in mission terms. The glitch didn't happen until the last truck got to us and it broke down only feet...many feet...from where it should have gone to drop the cement. With the aid of a tractor and the bucket on it the concrete made it to it's destination to finish up the day's work.

What a great sight to see--many, many hands working hard to put the driveway to bed. Men, women and young people up to their knees in cement pulling and pushing with rakes, shovels and even feet to place it just so. Add to the mix an audience of those of us a little older and two classes of children here at the City of Refuge and you almost have a celebration in the making. One of the girls I sponsor, Crystal, found me and hugged me tightly until her class had to move down the road to watch the pour with her class. It's touching to have so much affection showered on me by a little girl I've only met a couple of times. These children are so easy to love--eager to receive and eager to give. There were a few ahhs, ooohs and cheers as the driveway proceeded toward completion. What a grand time!

We broke for a lunch of chili and grilled cheese sandwiches and ate in shifts so some could keep working on the cement till it could be left alone. The afternoon was productive with the rest of the trucks dropping their payload on the wired foundation. The guys and girls called it a day about 5pm and it was time for some relaxation. Slater and Mrs Baugh fixed a beef stew, rice, baked potatoes, salad, mixed veggies and cake for us for dinner. It was delicious as usual and afterward we met on the porch and JR told us his bear story. There was much laughter and fun. Oh how am I learning to love these friends of mine even more than I did before we came here.

Tomorrow, Lord willing, will bring six more trucks, the end of the pour, and a completed driveway. The pace is a little less pressed this time here and the mood more relaxed. The guys have some breathing room, workwise and it makes for a more lighthearted trip.

The Lord was extra good to us today. What a blessing to get so much done today. I wish I could describe the relaxed, good-hearted atmosphere we are enjoying this week. It's a whole separate good blessing, worthy of praising the Lord mightily--and I do.

Father, how I love spending time with you and your people. It's a joy to see you in the small things like laughter over coffee, or work, with friends, and in the big things like six concrete trucks making it up the one lane mountain road to complete a driveway at a children's haven of rest and protection. You are good, Lord. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I love you so very much.

Suz