More updates from the field…
Matt Milliorn
Today was another productive time constructing the new house for a local neighborhood family as we finished the house ahead of schedule! It was particularly encouraging both observing and participating in this project. Every team member contributed. We encountered no problems, mistakes, or disagreements of any kind. Some neighborhood residents also participated in the painting, including the three kids and mother that wil be living in the house. You could definitely see the joy and pride they had! It will be neat to go back one last time tomorrow to see the final product and do a formal dedication for the family.
We also took another group to the adult prison this afternoon. As someone who has never visited a prison before, this was quite an eye-opening experience. Even in such a desperate and oppressive situation, however, there was both faith and passion. We had the honor of visiting the in-prison Friday afternoon church service. Such energy! Entirely run by inmates, this was a very genuine ministry. Unlike so many of our lives, it was evident this was truly the center of their lives. My only regret was that we didn’t have more time to spend talking with the inmates. From what little interaction we did have though, it was impactful. We came to see what we could offer. I believe we ended receiving even more in return.
Jonathan Owens
Today I got to help work on the house. Which we finished in what I was told the fastest time that they have finished one of these houses which I thought was pretty cool. I’m glad that God worked it out that way, that we didn’t mess anything up and have to go back and fix it. I was working on putting the windows in with Steve for most of the time, everytime we got a nail in without breaking the glass I just thanked the Lord because everytime I swung the hammer I was afraid I would hit it which would be really bad since we had just enough for the house. but While building this house, and well really just the whole time we’ve been down here I realized just how much I take for granted in my life, all the stuff God has given me that I never take the time to stop and thank him for. So that’s really what God challenged me with today.
David Brooks
Had a great day yesterday! I played basketball and soccer with a bunch of neighborhood kids and then invited them to the feeding at the local curch. I could have stayed there and played all day. I think they were a little intimidated at first by the “American” however they were high fiveing and joking around with me after a while. The language barrier was frustrating, however I just kept trying to communicate and smile and pat them on the back after a good play. Just anything to try to create a relationship.
In the afternoon a bunch of us got to visit the prison. We toured the facility and attended their “daily” church service. A young inmate came and sat down next to me and told me that he would translate if I wanted to know anything. I asked him if he knew Jesus, and he said “Oh yes, Jesus is in my heart”. I thought that was cool but then he went on to tell me that “I don’t need anything but Jesus in here.” “I don’t have any fammily or help and if I need anything at all, I just ask Jesus for it.” Right after that, he asked me if he could have my shoes. He 
also told me that the lady pastor had “Much Jesus power”. He kept repeating that and I wasn’t sure what to think about that. So before I left I told him that he could have “Much Jesus power.”
On the way home I began to think about the neighborhood kids and the inmates and I pondered the real difference between them and me. First thing that came to mind was “Choices” and how some of them have made some bad ones. Then I thought about the kids who haven’t even had much opportunity to make bad choices yet. They were just born into a poor and difficult situation. I am not sure what the real difference is but I thought about how thankful that I am for what God has given me and I was reminded by him to be faithful with that.
