It cannot all be written in the blog - it is too emotional, too raw, and filled with the spirit of God.

Just an inside view of one of our families. It's the home we are building and will dedicate before our departure from Butare on Thursday at noon. Joseline lives with her 3 sisters Jovine,18, Annonciata, 16, Nyirangirente, 12. Joseline became the head of her household when she was 11 years old. Her mom died of AIDS three years after her father died. All the children dropped out of school-and the home they were living in caved in - January 2009.

Joseline envisioned a home, a place of shelter and refuge for her sisters - and started making bricks 8x16x10 - weighing 30 lbs each. When we arrived the foundation was layed and the walls were being constructed.

Each day as our van traversed up the red dirt road winding the hill of Kigoma in the Huye District, children gathered around the van and joyfully welcomed us to their community. Quickly they found a place in our hearts as we gathered at the Lord's table spread on a pile of bricks made by Joseline. On our second day, Joseline and her sisters, had turned one of the incompleted rooms into a sanctuary - fully designed with a homemade hanging cross, and an altar covered with a home sewn altar cloth. The children pushed and shoved to listen and hear as we stood together to receive the bread of life.

Quickly everyone dispersed to daily tasks of making mud balls that are transported to the masons. Bricks lugged across the yard and stacked to be layed for the shelter of this family.
Team members side by side with the masons - building the inside structure of the home. Mingled among the laughter and outbreaks of the team singing "Gilligan's Island" - one can see
Courtney kneeling down with ten children loving all over her. Then there is a break and Tim and Andy take off with a group of kids running up the hill yelling with a soccer ball flying in the air. Mac teaching boys how to play baseball.

The day of working is complete with the passing out of dum-dums. It is a snap shot of
God's love at work through every hand. Joseline's dream of a home is becoming a reality before our eyes and young and old, American and African work side by side to provide hope for this family.

We load the van with the children running beside us - knowing that we will return tomorrow to draw closer to the completion of this home of hope.

Thought for today: We're all in this together
" Be devoted to one another. Honor one another. Live in harmony with one another." Rm 12:10,16