Tanzania Day 5

Trevor playing soccer with kids

Blocks

Complete 3' of wall today.

Handing stuff to the locals.

Today was a day of blessed work.  The weather turned warm...probably 85 or so, but also more humid and the sun was in full effect.

We started at 7am.  Most of the crew went to making bricks in the Tanzanian fashion.  A few were painting and a couple working tile.  I worked with three other guys helping some local workers to add three more feet to the top of the building.  One by one we lifted bricks (well more of blocks...about 60lbs each) and buckets of mortar up to the local men.  Yes, we were the grunt labor!  It made me appreciate my education all the more.  Well, in the end we lifted a total of 240 blocks....about 16,000 lbs of material to the roof.  Needles to say I'm glad to have a day off tomorrow.  No problem with calorie burn today.  i didn't find anything in myfitnesspal.com with lifting 4,000 lbs over your head.  :o_  It was a great day and everyone worked hard.  The rest of the team completed a good portion of the tile and produced over 300 blocks (make from sand and a bit of cement in these custom machines).  

The highlight of the day was a bible school held on the property.  Even without the buildings completed, they are already using it for ministry.  About 20 children were there.  They live in the local dump believe it or not.  They are the poor of the poor, but you would never know it.  Their clothes were clean and bright and the their smiles were wide.  Listening to them sing and worship was like listening to angels.  One little boy led the worship and it was amazing as they all followed along.  We even took a break and played soccer with them for about ten minutes.  Their ball was made from plastic grocery bags and twine, but it worked.  We had a great time...and yes, I scored three goals.  Two assists from Jon.  I think we lost though.  :o)

We are getting to really know the workers.  Some are from the local church and others are hired.  Many of the hired workers are Muslim.  It is fun to get to know them.  We're learning a little Swahili along the way.  They love our pronunciation.  :o)  The Christian workers are witnessing to these Muslim workers along the way at breaks and lunch.  We look forward to bonding with this team over the next week.  They all have great stories.

Some of us have been walking back and forth to the job site (it is about 1.5 miles).  It is a new experience to have people rubberneck because a group of white guys are walking down the road.  Everyone is extremely friendly...we are usually told "Good Morning" even in the afternoon.  :o)  My favorite is Daniel.  He works in dress pants and a dress shirt and ruddy old sandals.  He has a smile all the time and laughs.  He might be 90 lbs and lifts the blocks and mortar with ease.  Amazing.  He always positive.  

Well that is all today.  Looking forward to worship in Africa tomorrow.  It will be lively.  Pastor Mike (our youth pastor) just got the call that he is preaching in the morning.  Should be interesting!

Blessings to all,

Trevor