Roof Tops and Breezes

It has been a very different trip for us.  Very often we are in the desert, with little shade and hot sun.  This year we have been working in the area of "Cumbres," which is just off the Pacific Ocean.  We are up on a hill and have a wonderful vista of the ocean.   All day there are welcomed breezes.   This is very helpful as that since Monday we have been working on the roof, getting it ready for the pouring of the cement layer.

The process is that of preparing cement forms so the cement doesn't run down the walls of the house, then laying a lattice of re-enforcement bar (re-bar) on the roof.  Once this is done, at each cross of the re-bar, the meeting point has to be wired together.  This is a slow process.   We haven't counted the number of cross-overs but it is in the hundreds but seems like thousands.


It can be a hot job, but with that welcome breeze from the ocean, and the ability to look out a beautiful scene makes it doable.   All while working a large speaker is pumping out music of the great Vicente Fernandez, or just the well known Mariachi music.  Of course, there is a healthy mix of current American hits.  All this makes the tedious job of wiring this rebar together more bearable.

Each day we are treated to great food by the women of the area, who are helping as part of their commitment to getting one of the next houses.  We have had a chicken mole, the most wonderfully spiced chicken BBQ, and a chicken caesar salad.   Usually, each main course has rice, beans, and tortillas with it.   The juice is real fruit juice made with melons, cucumbers or other fruits.  A welcome refreshment after the work on the roof. 

When we finished our work we headed out to the 'border' to experience the border and the wall as Mexican's experience it.  It always strikes me as strange, because the Mexican side is full of life, music, laughter, and all the joy of any beach town.  The US side is just empty, silent and desert life.
The Mexican side of the wall is painted with pictures of hope and happiness.  The US side is just rusted. 

Last night a large group of participants headed out for a professional soccer game and others went to the orphanage to play with the children.  On a sad note, the orphanage run by the Sisters of the Sacred Heart has closed.   There were some financial problems we have been told.  We pray the girls are in a good spot.

The other group we have been with has been doing similar work at another site, (with the breeze).  Today all 40 of us head off to there to begin the roof pour.  We will pour that roof today.  Tomorrow we will head back to Cumbres and pour that roof.   With that our week will close.

If the internet is good I'll post how today went.   Thanks for your prayers and support.