The house that Belvidere built
[Before you read this, make sure you look at the Happy 5th of July! blog which also talks about Immanuel, Belvidere's week, since I added a couple of new pictures.]
It's 8 am and I've already been to the airport twice. That's it for today though, today's incoming group is driving from Sugar Land, TX. The group from Flushing, MI, is going to Carlsbad Caverns today, my family is still in town, Chris's parents got in on Thursday, we have to scout out a project and go to Lowe's today (they're probably worried since I haven't been in 2 days), and then Panchis's daughter Gaby's quinceanera is tonight. In a little while, Chris's mom is going to make both of our families French toast for breakfast, so I figure now is a good time to blog about the rest of Immanuel, Belvidere's week. Theirs is an intergenerational family trip, similar to my first experience at YLM. We built a house for a family that belongs to Cristo Rey: a young mother Sandra and her 3 yr. old son James; I am not sure if her husband/boyfriend/James' father is in the picture or not. Sandra and James currently live with Sandra's mom, but now they'll have a space to themselves.
Group picture before.
As soon as we got there, Genaro warned us to be careful of this dirt wall, since it occasionally crumbles and we didn't want any avalanches.
Abi and Brooklyn with the popsicles James gave them.
Day 1 progress.
As we were packing up to leave on day 1, the family invited us inside to share some of what they had been cooking all day--fried chicken and calabacitas (squash in a seasoned broth, topped with cheese). Everyone was a little hesitant at first since it was an odd time for gringos to eat, but as soon as a few people had taken a few bites, everyone dug in and liked it so much that they wanted the recipe. At one point while we were sitting around eating and chatting, James brought Pastor Bueltmann (who plays the guitar) his toy guitar that was broken in half and wanted him to play it. You laugh, as did I, but by the end of the week some duct tape and wood glue had the two of them jamming!
Then as we went to leave, we got the van majorly stuck attempting to back it up that hill and pull forward down the driveway after being parked underneath the carport that is in front of Genaro's red and white pick-up. That's all I'm gonna say about that, other than we parked on the street the rest of the week!
Even Pastor Martinez got in on the action!
Pastor Bueltmann on the roof.
Sandra's mom made us mole for lunch on Wednesday. Mole is a chicken dish in a sauce that is usually made with chile and chocolate, but there are several varieties. I've had it at restaurants before and never really liked it, but the homemade version rocked!
Mary teaching Jordan how to tape drywall.
Pastor was great to have on hand when it came to hooking up the electricity.
Hardworking manly men Augie, Brandon, and Jacob.
Our mascot for the week. I've seen a lot of chickens, a couple cats, and even more dogs, but never a goat. Pastor Martinez said they are more common in the mountains to the south, and that the family probably plans to eat it or sell it eventually since it is a male and can't be used for milk.
Progress later in the week, and materials lined up for painting and tiling, which the group dug into their own pockets to add to our standard build.
Pastor and his wife Cyndi rolling on the Blonde Beauty.
Art painting with some kind of newfangled spongey edge contraption.
Double-fisting it!
We finished one entire room of tile, and a 3 ft. wide strip in the other room. We would have finished it all except that we ran out of VCT adhesive and they don't sell it in Juarez! As I kept reminding the group though, there is now a house where there was nothing but a concrete slab when they started, so they have everything to be proud of.
I love the way cove base makes it look so...finished.
Group picture after, with Pastor Martinez, Sandra, and Sandra's mom.
We stopped by the market for an hour or so on our way back to the mission Friday afternoon, and this was Augie's payback for jumping out from behind things and scaring me--twice--the day before. I also told him after the 2nd time that I'd come up with a special job for him on Friday, which I did: handing over the keys to Sandra!
Until next time, blessings!
It's 8 am and I've already been to the airport twice. That's it for today though, today's incoming group is driving from Sugar Land, TX. The group from Flushing, MI, is going to Carlsbad Caverns today, my family is still in town, Chris's parents got in on Thursday, we have to scout out a project and go to Lowe's today (they're probably worried since I haven't been in 2 days), and then Panchis's daughter Gaby's quinceanera is tonight. In a little while, Chris's mom is going to make both of our families French toast for breakfast, so I figure now is a good time to blog about the rest of Immanuel, Belvidere's week. Theirs is an intergenerational family trip, similar to my first experience at YLM. We built a house for a family that belongs to Cristo Rey: a young mother Sandra and her 3 yr. old son James; I am not sure if her husband/boyfriend/James' father is in the picture or not. Sandra and James currently live with Sandra's mom, but now they'll have a space to themselves.
Group picture before.
As soon as we got there, Genaro warned us to be careful of this dirt wall, since it occasionally crumbles and we didn't want any avalanches.
Abi and Brooklyn with the popsicles James gave them.
Day 1 progress.
As we were packing up to leave on day 1, the family invited us inside to share some of what they had been cooking all day--fried chicken and calabacitas (squash in a seasoned broth, topped with cheese). Everyone was a little hesitant at first since it was an odd time for gringos to eat, but as soon as a few people had taken a few bites, everyone dug in and liked it so much that they wanted the recipe. At one point while we were sitting around eating and chatting, James brought Pastor Bueltmann (who plays the guitar) his toy guitar that was broken in half and wanted him to play it. You laugh, as did I, but by the end of the week some duct tape and wood glue had the two of them jamming!
Then as we went to leave, we got the van majorly stuck attempting to back it up that hill and pull forward down the driveway after being parked underneath the carport that is in front of Genaro's red and white pick-up. That's all I'm gonna say about that, other than we parked on the street the rest of the week!
Even Pastor Martinez got in on the action!
Pastor Bueltmann on the roof.
Sandra's mom made us mole for lunch on Wednesday. Mole is a chicken dish in a sauce that is usually made with chile and chocolate, but there are several varieties. I've had it at restaurants before and never really liked it, but the homemade version rocked!
Mary teaching Jordan how to tape drywall.
Pastor was great to have on hand when it came to hooking up the electricity.
Hardworking manly men Augie, Brandon, and Jacob.
Our mascot for the week. I've seen a lot of chickens, a couple cats, and even more dogs, but never a goat. Pastor Martinez said they are more common in the mountains to the south, and that the family probably plans to eat it or sell it eventually since it is a male and can't be used for milk.
Progress later in the week, and materials lined up for painting and tiling, which the group dug into their own pockets to add to our standard build.
Pastor and his wife Cyndi rolling on the Blonde Beauty.
Art painting with some kind of newfangled spongey edge contraption.
Double-fisting it!
We finished one entire room of tile, and a 3 ft. wide strip in the other room. We would have finished it all except that we ran out of VCT adhesive and they don't sell it in Juarez! As I kept reminding the group though, there is now a house where there was nothing but a concrete slab when they started, so they have everything to be proud of.
I love the way cove base makes it look so...finished.
Group picture after, with Pastor Martinez, Sandra, and Sandra's mom.
We stopped by the market for an hour or so on our way back to the mission Friday afternoon, and this was Augie's payback for jumping out from behind things and scaring me--twice--the day before. I also told him after the 2nd time that I'd come up with a special job for him on Friday, which I did: handing over the keys to Sandra!
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Word verification word: prachib
Used in sentence: I would love to prachib all night long, but in J-Town you have to come home early, kinda like Cinderella.