We started out Thursday morning ready to work... we found out once we got there that Team Effort's insurance would not allow us to work into the afternoon so we would have to make the most of our day and THAT WE DID! Not going to sugar coat it-- we had a temper flair hear and there during the week and some butting of heads-- but all for one cause- to GET THE JOB DONE. Today, however, we all knew we had a lot to do and everyone buckled down and worked every moment. The fruits of our labor this week and God's power working through each of these teens shone---They truly love each of these women and were so excited to finish the work to make their loads just a little bit lighter. Even with the hard work, many of the kids and adults still stopped to talk with Geneva, Lilly and her daughter Candice.
Yes,... we broke the rules (SORRY) and worked until 1 pm~ at the end of the day we had finished the roof over Miss Lilly's new deck and ramp. MIss Geneva's roof is covered, protected almost completely with tar paper (ran out) and at least 25% shingled. Miss Geneva has a new birdfeeder, another hung, freshly painted shutters, a new bookshelf built and painted by our girls for all her favorite pictures, & all the rummage in the yard is either burned or in the filled dumpster which was empty when our clean up started. AND finally, the bench.... as all our work was being finished Gavin led a small group of our SAW girls (yes,,, 9 of our girls all used the rotary saw all week!) in making a beautiful bench for Miss Liily to rest on as she takes her new path down hill to visit her "mama"- Her former path was filled with branches with only a piece of yarn to guide her way since she cannot see much other than light, Last week's crew had cleared her path, provided a new sturdy guide line and added a beautiful signed cross. Now our new IMPACT bench pictured below will allow her to sit on her way to "Be still and know that He is God"-
Many tears followed our good-byes... I tear up as I write just picturing Maddie in Miss Lilly's arms crying.... Miss Geneva came out of her home for the first time this week to join us in our final prayer circle... She insisted that each of our crew sign her book shelf so she would not forget even one of them. Thank you Lord for these 2 beautiful, courageous women who had such an IMPACT on our kids.AND Then to the evening... we found a WONDERFUL local restaurant for dinner, Our evening ended with a moving and unforgettable night of devotions and many, many tears as our youth left the baggage that they had carried with them literally and figuratively on the cross. Our own prayers and conversations went well into the night...
Thank you Lord for these moments that allow us to see and feel you each step of the way... be with these young souls and keep these memories in their hearts as we begin to look towards our return home... AMEN.
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