March 31, 2009

Today was an extraordinary day of accomplishments.

We built 4 more houses to add to the 2 yesterday and painted all 6 houses,  I painted all day and was wearing almost as much paint as I put on the houses.  I painted Adele House first,  The family was very helpful.  The father helped with the painting and the mother washed our bushes in her outside sink.  No running water but she gladly shared the water from her buckets,  She was busily scrubbing in her outdoor sink when she wasn’t helping us.  We finished our house quickly and went to help finish Crosbie house.

Back to the school for lunch where I caught another glimpse of Eveyln [Pam's sponsored child] playing in the outdoor.gym.  After lunch we painted Coldstream house.  There was very little space and we could only paint 2 walls.  The children were anxious to help and we finished quickly and went to help at Topsail United Church House.  We helped complete that one.  The mother was beeming with pride over her new home.  These 12×16 concrete houses are by far the best homes in their neighbourhoods.  It’s amazing!

Next we were off to the last two houses built today.  First we went to Margaret house.  It was on sort of on a hill.  We took up the challenge to get that one painted too!  We were all going at it and Harvey began to show the teenage son how to paint.  At first he had no idea but he caught on quickly.

The Team is amazed at how the people catch on so quickly. He showed his mother what he had done and she held the can while he finished the bottom half of a wall.  He was so proud.  They are so willing to work and are hard workers but have not had the training to acquire these skills.  Once shown they can do anything thing we have shown them.

Finally, we went to Parish of Bay Roberts/ Coley’s Point House.  Oh my! Poverty at its worst.  Right in the center of town, the gates open to the street and inside all down the hill are row houses.  Cornstalk condos!!!  Nothing in them.  Some with no roof!  Amid the poverty – smiles and friendliness.  The family has 6 children and one about 12 was a delight.  She was as bright as a button and pretty as a picture,  She knew some English words and sang me a song Barbara had taught her.  It was heartbreaking.

You have to see how they live to believe it!!  How they make the best of what they have is truly a wonder.  Most of them grow flowers or have them cut and put around their house.  As always it amazes me how they keep the children clean.  They clean and wash continuously.  We have 2 more houses to build later in the week.  Tomorrow we work at the school.  Another adventure!

God Bless

Pam