Hammering was the predominant sound of the day! With much to be done, a ‘divide and conquer‘ approach was taken and the sounds of hammering, sawing and drilling was non-stop; expect for mandated breaks!! Albert and Wayne tackled the finishing touches on the outside, John and Diena prepared the kitchen counters, Len and Daylyn finished off the beds and my job was to nail the sheeting for the inside walls! Katie, Ellen and Suzanne took the task of preparing for the family to occupy the house. Asher…he was kept busy picking up whatever was needed--the hardware store, the second-hand furniture store, the hardware store, the grocery store, the hardware store...!
Thursday was a long day! By late afternoon, there were a few more finishing touches to be done; the site needed to be cleaned up and furniture moved in. Katie and Ellen accompanied Asher and Suzanne and Nicholasas to town for the purchase of some shelves for the bedrooms, a table and chairs and then a
trip to the grocery store to stock her up with some basics!
There was a buzz in the air as the household products purchased on the way down, the furniture and groceries were brought into house. For me it was wonderful to stand back and watch the joy on the faces
of the Team as they readied the house for the family. The kids and neighborhood kids were coming in and out of the house; the laughter and joy in the faces was a welcomed change! The final touch was a Canadian flag placed on the front of the house.
Supper was delayed and plans for an evening trip to share in a church service with a congregation who recently received a new building care of church in Fort St. John had to be altered. Asher called us together and invited the family to join us and we shared in a dedication service. Asher reminded the family who were are and why we came and several of the Team shared a word of testimony / blessing. The whole project, the reason we came and the joy we experienced was captured in a moment when Nicholasas expressed her thanks; “when it rains, we won’t get wet”. Her gratitude was evident; a lady who doesn’t smile much / doesn't have much to smile about was filled with joy; her son, who we only met today, a quiet 18 year-old was shy but, you could see he was overwhelmed with all that was happening.
I had the privilege of praying a prayer of dedication and then Asher handed the keys to Nicholasas and she and her family entered the house. Tools were loaded into a truck and good-byes where said and we left with much joy for the work done; knowing we have had the joy of being God’s agents to bless this family.
We made a quick stop at the church I mentioned earlier and were greeted by the pastor and people before heading back for a late supper and quiet evening – except Katie and Ellen, they were making curtains for
the windows, to be dropped off with a few other things on the way out on Saturday.
We started this project together as a church and as a church we share the blessing together! I can’t wait till we get home and share our experiences with you!