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A Moment to Think

Friday afternoon my coworker, Juan Miguel, and I were running around getting everything set up for a group that arrives later today.  We went to the market in Managua to buy all the dried foods and other supplies and then headed to the community to drop it off.  While we were there, we stopped by one of the homes we built last week.  The family, Incarnacion, Teresa and Crystal all welcomed us back with big hugs and kisses on the cheek.

Sometime during the week, the Bridges masons had installed beautiful wooden doors and windows on their house.  Teresa had placed a few potted plants by the front door.  All the tools and left over cement were picked up.  It was incredible to see the finished product and see it in the process of becoming a home.

Incarnacion asked his daughter to get the key to their new home.  He proudly opened the door for us and invited us into his new home.  They hadn’t moved any of their belongings in yet, but it felt like a home.  We stood there admiring the windows and commenting on how cool it was inside.  A pleasant breeze blew through the windows.  I couldn’t stop smiling.  I looked at the faces of everyone in the home with me and they also couldn’t stop smiling.  I felt so overcome with gratitude and pride for this family and it was clear everyone else felt the same way.

Despite the down time we have while the group is here and the reflections we hold, it’s easy to lose sight of the big picture.  I didn’t have an opportunity to really think about why I am here and why I am doing this work.  It wasn’t until I had left the community for a week and returned that the reality of what we had done really set in.  We built this house together.  I felt so immensely happy.

Incarnacion was sure to send his regards to all the people (including my father and brother) that supported him with the construction of his home.  I said that I had heard the group made it back to the States safely and I’m sure they send their love back as well.