Construction

Today, I was part of the construction team. Originally it was going to be for just the morning and then head over to help with the children's club. There was more need for workers at the construction projects, so I worked there. The first project i was involved in was helping Cathy P. , Jason C. and Stacie with removing paint and primering. The former center had substained quite a bit of water damage in the walls and we were trying to repair these. I think we inhaled a little too much dust, about 30 minutes into the project we were already creating really silly songs and making some really bad jokes. I was told that I have a "happy place" in my mind, long story behind that one :-) This may have been from my wearing a dust mask as a cool hat?? Hmmmmm...not sure.

We continued with this for a few hours, then split up the teams again. Stacie and I worked on more paint in an apartment. Jason and Cathy finished the original project. Lunch came and we again divided teams and projects. Tommy and Nina were finishing applying paint primer , as Jason , Cathy, and Stacie left to help at another location. We finished all we could on the paint projects , then Tommy, Dao, Mark M , and Walt built a retaining wall. There is a horrible erosion problem caused by high winds and very often the Hospice has sand filter in under the door. If anyone knows how to solve the sand problem, all suggestions are welcomed.

This was an all work day, although we accomplished quite a bit of work, we still have a long long way to go. It feels good though, to be able to help ready what will be a safe , nice place for people with a terrible disease to go and seek treatment , and learn there is hope.

The work has been hard and at times we question why we are doing task in the way that we are, but we understand that it all has it's purpose. I agree with the statement that Amanda made in her post. She mentioned feeling ashamed about things we take for granted, that are considered a luxury in certain parts of this area.

Hopefully someone else will fill you in on the children's club activities for today.
Everyone is exhausted at this point and we haven't even had dinner. It's difficult to explain how working hard and being tired can actually make you feel better. Knowing that we have done some small part to make someone's life a little easier or brighter after so many have told them that there is no hope, that's reward within it's self.