Concrete Progress

What a crazy few weeks it has been!

Writing from back in El Paso, my first multi-week period apart from Amy and the kids behind me, I can hardly believe how much has been accomplished since leaving them here in late February! The extended time apart was every bit as challenging as we expected – certainly nothing we intend to make a habit of repeating! – but God worked through it, and you can see for yourself the progress in our house!

The last time I posted in this space, Nahuatl builders had finished the first story walls – after only two weeks of work! With the additional time available due to their efficient work, they began constructing a shed and outhouse we had never expected to fit into this build phase. Meanwhile, Don and I continued termite-proofing wood, and started pouring concrete columns to strengthen the adobe wall sections.

After a few much-needed days in Mazatlan to resupply and physically recover, the two of us returned to the build site – and shortly thereafter were joined by a team of missionaries from Chihuahua. In five and a half incredibly busy work days, we got a lot done! – finishing the concrete columns and pouring a cap on top of the adobe, covering the walls with a concrete-based plaster, resurfacing and leveling parts of the floor, and treating an additional shipment of wood. Beyond these core goals, we also poured a floor for the shed – and the Nahuatl workers finished the primary structures for both shed and outhouse, while building perhaps three quarters of a rock retaining wall to protect the house from rainy-season flooding.

Of the four ‘teams’ planned for this project before June’s rainy season, these two in the books have both accomplished more than we thought possible: everything we had originally hoped and dreamed, and also several additional secondary tasks. The bonus work doesn’t help with the goal of getting dried in before the rains come, but does accelerate our family’s timetable for moving in to the village.

After Easter, Don and I will return to Las Moras – joined by a pair of work teams from the United States: one from Peaceful Valley Church, followed by another Crossroads Bible Church. Together, we’ll press toward that primary goal – getting this house ready to withstand the rigors of Las Moras’ summer rains. By God’s grace, all the work needed to set up those teams’ efforts was completed – and we’re excited to see how He works through their time on-site!

As before, you’ll be able to follow along with the daily build progress on our house construction status page (as allowed by Internet connection, local power, and so forth) – and we’ll send out larger updates after each team’s departure in blog post form. Thanks so much for praying for us during this incredibly busy and draining season of ministry!

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Quick Notes & Things I’ve Been Reading:

• Sunday mornings with the Nahuatl believers have given my coworkers encouraging insight into how belief in Jesus is impacting village life – upending cultural norms and changing things in their homes. Read more from Katie’s New Year’s blog post: [Katie’s Blog: Reading Between the Lines]
• Abortion is in the news a lot these days – some times reporting laws extend its legality, and at others showing trends toward the pro-life perspective. Meanwhile, there is widespread (albeit non-universal) unity within the modern evangelical church in opposition to abortion… yet, is it possible that we are translating ‘right belief’ into ‘wrong action?’ [Things Above Us: 46 Years of Failure]
• What do we mean when we say that the Nahuatl are an ‘animistic’ people group? Following up from my last blog post, here is part two of a conversation between three Ethnos360 leaders on that subject, and how it impacts modern Western culture (part one is available here):
  [AccessTruth: The Conversation – Animism (Part 2)]

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Thank God with us!

• For the progress He has allowed in construction to this point – beyond what we had hoped or planned, thanks to His provision and the efforts of faithful volunteers!
• For sustaining both the Husband and Chubb families these past several weeks, during the longest time of Jordan and Don’s absence from their wives and children.
• For opening doors to build relationships in the Nahuatl community even during this busy season, particularly among the men working so hard alongside Don and Jordan.

Ways you can pray:

• That God continue providing for drying in the house – for the myriad logistics involved, strength and health for those working, and everyone’s safety both on-site and traveling.
• That He again uphold the Husband and Chubb families during another long period of the dads’ absence – which, though shorter than before, will undoubtedly be difficult.
• That God bring comfort into the lives of certain Nahuatl experiencing tragic circumstances – including a woman and her children who were forced to leave home, and a family whose newborn child died. May He ease their pain, showing each His love for them in the midst of this pain.