My brother-in-law, Donny, arrived today and we went to see about adding on to a family's house in Villa Nueva Sector 8. There are 2 adults and 5 kids living in a very small (10X12) place. It is an adobe (mud blocks) building with a dirt floor that is divided into two rooms, a kitchen and a bedroom. A couple of the children have both physical and mental handicaps. The youngest especially has some severe difficulty.

When my family was here in January, they asked if it was possible to build them some more space. Over the past couple months, they raised the funds necessary and Donny is here to help so we are going to do it this week. We will add on a space about 10x14, so their space will almost double. We will also be able to get them some new mattresses. The ones they have are really (and I mean, reaaaaalllly) dirty. The urine smell is pretty overwhelming. The youngest child has been in the hospital for parasites and a cleaner space and bed will really help.

Here's a very cool thought for today.....

By Jean Vanier

When Jesus sent his disciples out on mission, he told them to be poor, to take nothing with them. And he told them to do things that were impossible for them to do all by themselves. So it is for all missions. Communities and their members are called to be poor and to do impossible things, such as to build community and to bring healing, reconciliation, forgiveness and wholeness to people. Mission is to bring the life of God to others, and this can only be done if communities and people are poor and humble, letting the life of God flow through them.

Source: Community and Growth

grace & peace