Here is the latest from Fr. Andrew. Remember that these updates are delayed by a day, so the work he is talking about here happened on Monday.
Dear Friends and families,
Today everyone was up and ready to work bright and early! After a quick breakfast, we all headed up to the Calvary church for a morning reflection. We all tried to think on our expectations for this mission trip, and come up with some goals to achieve during this week. What do I want to take back with me from this trip, and what do I want to leave the people here? It would be a great thing if the lessons learned during these days could inspire me through the whole year, and if I can leave to the people here an example of a hard-working missionary, who is willing to make sacrifices for others.
Back at the work sites, we still had a bit of difficulty getting all the materials, so we started a bit slower. The two sites we are building are pretty remote, so it is difficult to get a full load of sand, or a tank of water, or a pick-up loaded with mortar all the way up! In both houses, we were able to reinforce the walls, and put up the beams that will support the doors, windows, and roof. Tomorrow is going to be a hard and messy day, mixing concrete and plastering the walls with the first coat.
We had a wonderful lunch, prepared by some ladies that live here in the town. They sure can cook! Tacos, rice, and beans is the normal menu, but there are a lot of ways and varieties to prepare the same meal. God bless them for volunteering to take such good care of us!
At 6:00, we all went to the Calvary church again for Mass. We actually had Mass under a tent set out on the patio of the church. There was some minor interior damage to this church as well from the earthquake, so it has been closed for renovations. It is mostly minor things, like repainting and replastering some parts, but until it is opened again, Mass is outside. From there, we enjoyed a nice dinner, compliments of Fr. Dan! Afterwards, Fr. Matthew gave a reflection and led night prayers. We then had a bit of time to go and buy a couple snacks in the local corner store, and head off to bed.
In Christ, Fr. Andrew Kolenda, LC
Pictures below: a view of the farm house and the Calvary house; working to put up roof beams on both houses; cutting steps in the soft dirt down to the Calvary house to start carrying cement tomorrow
Dear Friends and families,
Today everyone was up and ready to work bright and early! After a quick breakfast, we all headed up to the Calvary church for a morning reflection. We all tried to think on our expectations for this mission trip, and come up with some goals to achieve during this week. What do I want to take back with me from this trip, and what do I want to leave the people here? It would be a great thing if the lessons learned during these days could inspire me through the whole year, and if I can leave to the people here an example of a hard-working missionary, who is willing to make sacrifices for others.
Back at the work sites, we still had a bit of difficulty getting all the materials, so we started a bit slower. The two sites we are building are pretty remote, so it is difficult to get a full load of sand, or a tank of water, or a pick-up loaded with mortar all the way up! In both houses, we were able to reinforce the walls, and put up the beams that will support the doors, windows, and roof. Tomorrow is going to be a hard and messy day, mixing concrete and plastering the walls with the first coat.
We had a wonderful lunch, prepared by some ladies that live here in the town. They sure can cook! Tacos, rice, and beans is the normal menu, but there are a lot of ways and varieties to prepare the same meal. God bless them for volunteering to take such good care of us!
At 6:00, we all went to the Calvary church again for Mass. We actually had Mass under a tent set out on the patio of the church. There was some minor interior damage to this church as well from the earthquake, so it has been closed for renovations. It is mostly minor things, like repainting and replastering some parts, but until it is opened again, Mass is outside. From there, we enjoyed a nice dinner, compliments of Fr. Dan! Afterwards, Fr. Matthew gave a reflection and led night prayers. We then had a bit of time to go and buy a couple snacks in the local corner store, and head off to bed.
In Christ, Fr. Andrew Kolenda, LC
Pictures below: a view of the farm house and the Calvary house; working to put up roof beams on both houses; cutting steps in the soft dirt down to the Calvary house to start carrying cement tomorrow