11For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.
The Habitat team has been working real hard since they started on the two houses two weeks ago. The work site is within walking distance of the small house they stay in. Which is great because by the time they're are finished each day. They are ready for a shower and a nap.
They are roughly around 1/3 of the way done with both houses and hope to finish both houses, and began working on new ones before they leave.
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| Jai the teams Translator |
This is an excerpt from Dan Black the team leader's personal blog. To help show how tough their work is:
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"The work has been constant and challenging, for we build without many luxuries. The bricks we have helped make weigh 40 pounds each, and it takes nearly 800 bricks to build one house - we are building two side by side. The semi-flat bed truck of cement bags we unloaded were 80 pounds each, and the bags of rocks and sand we carry on our back weigh from 100-130 pounds. Half the time we are able to use a medium size concrete mixer, but the rest of the time, we mix by hand. Cutting 1/4 inch rebar and bending to make supports for the house has also been one of our many activities. Moving piles of rocks and sand can wear us out under the sun, but at last, the foundation is fixed." (To read the full story Click Here)   They have also been taking some time to share the love of God with the people in the neighborhood. They have had some great experiences in the area, as well as so more difficult ones. The Philippines has a very strong Catholic influence. So it is difficult to explain to them how we are not saved by our works, but by sacrifice of God's son Jesus Christ.    They have also begun, as of Sunday, joining the local Baptist church in sharing the gospel with some of the communities close to the church. It went great for the first Sunday. We had many that wanted more Bible studies, and others even come to accept Christ as their Lord and Savior!    Please continue to pray for the team as they work in the hot sun and as they continue to share the gospel to the people in this area. Pray that the people will understand that it is not their works that will get them to heaven, but they love of God and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for their sins. |