Day Four-One Less Bias…

At Mass this morning, Fr. Scott reminded us that going on mission should leave us with at least one less bias, 
and a new Encounter. 

Safe to say we’ve all certainly thrown any bias about this place and these people out the window, at this point. 
Each of us has now spent time in the heart of these poverty-stricken villages. 
Time to not only do our physical work, 
but to also tend to the spiritual work that gives this 
trip its meaning.

We’ve played with these people, included them in the work and TALKED to them. 
It’s no exaggeration to say that they are a greater light to us than we could ever hope to be to them. To witness the absolute joy on the face of a woman at the sight of a safe house being built, because she is taking care of all of her family (children and grandchildren alike), in a space that most of us would consider a garden shed, back home. 
The joy of a man bound to a wheelchair and unable to fend for himself in what we would consider the most basic ways, because we brought him a few meals and friendly conversation.
It’s in these moments that we have the chance to truly encounter Christ,
and begin to view all of these people as our 
brothers and sisters.  

We accomplished a lot of work today. 
Walls were framed. Stairs constructed. 
Siding hung from scratch-made scaffolding.
Rafters were started for roofing. 
At the end of the day, we gathered in the Church hall with  some of the parishioners to share a meal and our experiences.
Fr. Scott talked to some of us about how difficult it is for some of those who belong to his local parish to cross the lines into the very same villages we have travelled to work in, and the stigma that exists.
It called to mind how often we all think the same of the poor and destitute areas in our own cities back home.
How often do we fail to go to them?
Good reminders to try and remove the blinders we so conveniently place over our eyes, so often…


Four walls up at Lu’s house before lunch! 

Tropical Peach siding going up at the living quarters for the clinic. 

A job for everyone, no matter the skillset/experience. 

Our contractor lead taking a break with the family puppy.

Lunch time in whatever form of shade can be found! 
Everyone pushed so hard this morning-a good break with great food was well deserved. 

A few of us were able to visit the Catholic Montessori school next door to the church. We brought ice cubes for their faces to experience the air we feel, walking outside back home. 
The younger children were read to, while the older children were shown on the globe where we are from and how big Lake Superior is in comparison to all of Belize. We were even challenged to chess matches and discussed the various animals found in Duluth. The kids were disappointed to hear that we don’t have any orcas in the big lake. ❤

Moving right along on that siding! 
Looking good and so close to the finish line! 

Siding going up on the clinic addition. 

Everyone took a great step out of their comfort zones to try new things. The willingness to try, coupled with the supportive encouragement from other team members has been a very beautiful sight to see.

This puppy has gotten so much love!
Our group has unofficially adopted it.

Who needs tie-downs when you have teenagers?!

The family we’re building a house for has many animals roaming about, including ducks, chickens and roosters. 
This is a fraction of the ones they have. 

We only operate under the safest of circumstances.
MOST of the time…

Teamwork! Everyone loads and unloads.


Peek-a-boo!



Say cheese!

Delicious dinner prepared by members of the parish council and other parishioners. Such a blessing it was to sit down and get to know a little more about our hosts.


~~~


It’s been a long, hard and rewarding day. 
As we lay down to rest tonight, we also ask prayers over two of our missionaries. 
Sickness has not been kind to them and as such they are heading home early tomorrow.
These two have been instrumental in all of these mission trips, and we know they are heartbroken to be leaving early.
We hope you’ll join us in praying for their safe journey home and that the healing waters of the Divine Physician would wash over them, delivering peace and comfort to both.

Thank you all, and goodnight.


 

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