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"Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord."  - Psalm 102:18

His ways our higher than our ways....

11/25/2014

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Desayuno Typico de El Salvador - Typical El Salvadoran Breakfast - Eggs, Chorizo Plantains, Refried Beans, & Bread
Day 5, our second full day in Berlin and on the work site, began with another outstanding traditional Salvadoran breakfast – scrambled eggs, refried beans (think fresh), caramelized plantains, bread, cheese and local coffee.  Today we were able to work it out to use a more direct route to get to the work site, which involves most of us piling into the back of a 4x4 pickup and ten minutes of steep hills, tight turns and bumps with the occasional low-hanging branch to the face if you don’t stay alert.  Best work commute I’ve had in a while.  Ha!
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Our morning commute - "Ridin' Dirty" as B.B dubbed it!
This trip has been fantastic so far on so many levels.  There are so many things to be thankful for and I want to stay in the spirit of this Thanksgiving week.  I’m sure you’ve read of many of those in previous posts, so I will give you a small sample of a LONG list:  

  • The generosity of the many supporters who helped to allow me to participate in this trip immediately comes to my mind.
  • Today we were blessed with clear weather for work, and cooling rain showers almost immediately after we wrapped up work for the afternoon.
  • There is a restaurant in town next to the main square that serves an incredible cappuccino sorbet, which seems OK to indulge in after a hard day’s work.  Sometimes it’s the little things.
  • The opportunity to visit a country so different from ours, but every bit as valuable in God’s eyes.  It always helps to dispel our own arrogance and self-centeredness when we are able to see the faces of, and get to know others in another place.
  • This amazing group of Christ followers, with whom I have the privilege of spending ten days.  Each one brings a unique and valuable input to the group, and it has been a pleasure to spend time with and get to know each of them on a deeper basis.  Each day is filled with fellowship, fun and willingness to step into whatever is needed to help with the next challenge.

So, yesterday we were able to (eventually) come up with a system for laying blocks (to build the walls) that allowed most of us to be involved, and seemed to maximize our efficiency.  Additionally, it allowed us to honor the detail-oriented nature of Nelson, the local contractor directing the work, to preserve the integrity of his work.  Today, although a little more physically demanding due to less cloud cover (= HOT), was another very successful day.  We were able to stick with the system we developed and continue to make very good progress towards completing the walls of Kevin’s new home.   On a personal note, I call any day that you unintentionally wear flip flops (don’t ask) to a construction site and return home with both feet intact and undamaged a success…
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David & Ryan pouring come ''CRETE" with Jacobo & Kevin.
It is easy to come in and want to accomplish many things (with great intentions, of course).  It can also be easy to sacrifice quality for quantity.   However, we are called to do our best work at all times, as we represent Christ in all we do.   The beauty in the work solution we found on our first day of construction lies in 1) finding a way to be efficient AND produce quality work,  2) trusting that our best work is sufficient for Him, regardless of how we judge the measure of its quantity and  3) the peace we receive in knowing that He is glorified in our best efforts and His plans will be accomplished.  That we are allowed (even invited) to be a part of His plans is such an astounding and humbling concept.  This speaks to me on a personal level as I often try to balance my own detail-oriented nature with the normal demands for productivity that are placed on us by society (and in particular, work).  I hope we can all realize and remember that He is always at work in and around us, and that He wants us to join Him in all that we do – to the best of our ability – in full confidence that He will use it to bring Himself glory, our ultimate purpose.

Blessed, thankful and eager for the next page…

Scott Diehl
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    CONTRIBUTORS

    El Salvador - Nov 2016
    Brett Gorney
    Rodney Zehner
    Shelana Poindexter


    El Salvador - Mar 2016
    Brett Gorney
    Melissa Ciancia
    ​

    El Salvador - Oct 2015
    Brett Gorney
    Jack Clamon
    Jonny Hazen
    Julie Lamb
    Marty Berning
    Melissa Ciancia
    Rich Kumar
    Rodney Zehner
    Stacy Redding

    El Salvador - Nov 2014
    Brett Gorney
    Beth Cheatham
    Brandon Beeken
    David Stoner
    Doc Holliday
    Melissa Ciancia
    Rodney Zehner
    Ryan Weathington
    Scott Diehl
    Ward Johns

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  • HOME.
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  • SHINE.
    • EL SALVADOR >
      • DEC 2019
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      • MAR 2016
      • OCT 2015
      • NOV 2014
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