Cement, Cement and Ocean Views

Yesterday we  split into two groups once again.  Most of the group went to a house down near Puerto Nuevo, where we could see the ocean and benefit from the ocean breezes.  It was beautiful.  The family cried as nearly 30 of us emerged from vans.   (Remember we are with other groups, nearly 60 in all.)    We did the final work for the foundation.  The far corner of the foundation is about 7 feet deep.  We passed concrete blocks for the foundation for about an hour or so, prepared the re-bar supports and did some final sand work.  The morning was full.
The breeze made the work comfortable and the beauty of the place and the goodness of the people made it even easier.

Picture from Paul McGininity

The family was busy setting up about 10 small tables with umbrellas for us.  We broke for lunch and sat for a wonderful meal looking out at the Pacific ocean.  The laughter was rich and English, Spanish and Spanglish wafted over the table.  We all agreed we had just experienced a bit of heaven.  With all the hatred in the world currently, it seemed that this was a sign of the kingdom of God breaking in.  I think we all left knowing what Jesus meant when he said "The Kingdom of God is in your midst."

An ice cream wagon came by and to end our little break from the work,  many of us enjoyed cool, refreshing popsicles or ice cream sandwiches.   We all looked like little children enjoying the surprise visit of the ice cream truck.


The after brought us a the loud putt,putt, putt of cement mixer.   For the next 2 hours 20 bags of cement was mixed, scooped into buckets, passed from hand to hand and finally poured into the foundation blocks.   It was hard work but the hard work of so many made it go easily.  Of course when we got a break many would break out into a little dance with music from huge speaker Eduardo brought.

We finished our work and then headed to Casa del Migrante, which is a center run by the Scallibrini Fathers which cares for the migrants of the world.  Most of the people in the Center have been deported from the US.   We were given an orientation and then ate with the residents of center.  There were currently about 100 people living in the center, all planning their next steps.  They talked wistfully of their wives and children back in the states.  Others resigned to the fact that getting back is going to be hard and will do their best to make a living here in Mexico.  Most of our participants agreed it was the most significant part of the trip.  (later today I'll get some pictures up of our visit.)

We head out soon to our work site, so I need to get going!