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They said it would be a day of “descansar” which means rest, but I knew that would not be the case. Instead we took an excursion to local towns with scenery and shopping. Was relaxing…

But on the way “home” I noticed we were not heading home. The bus stopped for a cake, we kept heading back up the mountain, approached the Mt blessing neighborhood where we build, and up in the porch we see 30 plus kids and neighbors waiting for us to arrive. Surprise!

Here they were waiting to celebrate with us. Have to be honest here, this wasn’t what I thought would be restful. I struggled, but then the music started, the kids started dancing to praise songs, we joined in holding babies, and God restored our strength with his Joy.

Big Lesson from the trip is that God does things differently than we. The life we think we will enjoy and love, the rest and comfort we work so hard to hold is rarely God’s best. Something about losing life to find it.

The men and women who work so hard here among the poor have found another type of rest. When we see all the hard work the missionaries here are giving, it feels like they are giving up a lot. Comfort, convenience, glamour. But who gets a hill full of smiling faces lighting up for them on their birthday but someone who has slugged in the mud and gutters of their same neighborhood for four years now. God’s ways are much higher.

Hot and long day yesterday. Finished the fourth house. After we dedicated the new house to the Lord, we prayed over the family as they always do. In the middle of prayer, praise erupted and after about five spontaneous songs, the team made what you might call and alter call.

It’s hard to call it an alter when the call came in a on the side of a hill atop a long flight is steps made of tires filled with mud.

After the worship, one of the gentlemen that has been working with us all week and with the team here for over a year stepped up to give his life to the Lord. Omar. A sweet spirited guy of about 30 years old surrendered.

My friend Eric explained the houses are just a hook to lead people to the Lord, but in my mind the whole day I was thinking there’s got to be a better way. Got to be a way to get people saved without such a sacrifice, While I was painting the house red, I was reminded that only by the blood is there salvation.

Today we travel outside the city to visit a more rural setting. Technically a day of rest, but the way this group moves, I don’t expect to be still. Pray again for the five full time missionaries who stay here all year round. They raise their own support. They work so much harder than us, and it would be nice to sincerely lift their hands.

Built three houses past two days. Going for our fourth tomorrow. Of course yesterday was long and I was dragging a bit, but safe and sound.

So we are building houses on two parts of the city. One is called the Mount of Trash (Basura) and the other Mount of Bendiciones (Blessing).

Reminds me of Duet. 27 where Moses has priest stand on one mount of blessing and the other of curses and has them cry out to one another. The two mounts of blessing and cursing were both pictured in Jesus who became a curse so the we may receive a blessing. God is doing something here among the committed missionaries who guide and outwork us every day. It like Jesus has firmly set his feet on both sides of the city- which ironically is separated by the filthy river we crossed in a styrophone ice chest.

Cough is good. Wisely decided not to play soccer because I was exhausted. Thank you for keeping Amy and family in prayers. Heading back to the school at the bottom of Mount of Trash. Pray for long term connection.