"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete." Luke 7:19
This verse has very practical applications in a structural sense as well as a spiritual sense. This week we laid the foundation for our last chapel of the summer season in the Dominican Republic. The foundation is the basis for the chapel and one of the most important parts that determines the longevity of the structure. Even though the structure may burn or blow down in a hurricane, the foundation will remain to be built on again.
When we arrive at a chapel site, the first order of business is clearing the area of vegetation. Our site this week had Yucca plants and Corn so we got a little taste of Iowa as we cleared the land. We then lay out our foundation lines, 20' wide by 28' long. Stakes are pounded in the ground and strings tied between them. The Pathagorean theorem is then used to ensure that the corners are square. High school math does come in handy even 25 years later!
We then begin to dig trenches for the footing, and here we never know what to expect. We've encountered rock, coral, mud, Tarantulas, roots and any number of obstructions that can slow the process. The Lord knew this was our last week and presented us with a blessing of a level site and dry dirt for a change.
After the trenches are dug (with shovels and pick axes mind you) we mix the concrete. Two wheelbarrows each of gravel and sand, followed by concrete mix and water. Then it's time for the mixing dance, six or so people moving around the pile turning it over until thoroughly mixed and then filling the wheelbarrow full for deposit in the trenches. Rebar is set in the footings and through the blocks. The rebar is eventually bent over the base plate of the chapel to hold it in place.
Once the footing is laid, the concrete block is set in place. Depending on the slope, one side may be five blocks high while another is only one. Again we were blessed this week with only a corner that was three blocks high with most of the rest of the structure being only one or two block high. The gaps are filled and the holes in the concrete are filled with a mixture the Dominicans like to call "soupy-soupy" as it is a very runny form of concrete. The foundation sits for a few days to cure and then the chapel construction begins.
In relation to the verse above, what are we building our foundation on? On who do we depend for our hopes and dreams and life decisions? Are they our own abilities, education, or financial success? Are they our friends, coworkers, family, teachers, learned professors or philosophers? All those may change with the times and immediate circumstances. Those foundations are often unstable and begin to crack when put under pressure. But in Christ we can depend for He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow, and His plan cannot be shaken. Base your foundation on Him, and though the torrents may shake you, your foundation will remain.
Praise the Lord for our summer here in the Dominican Republic, it has been an eye opening experience and we apologize sincerely for not blogging more often. Our schedule has been busy and often it is easier to update with Facebook, though we realize that some of you may not have access. Perhaps in our last couple of weeks here we'll be able to summarize our summer and how we've seen the Lord leading in our lives and our future plans. Thank you all again for your thoughts and prayers!
Praises:
A summer without major illnesses or injuries for either of us.
Great summer interns who have finished the race well and who made our jobs easier.
10 chapels built for worshipping the Lord in the Dominican Republic.
Prayers:
Clarity from God to serve Him in full-time missions.
Cultural adjustment as we return to Des Moines in mid-August.
The stories and events we share would reflect what He has done here, not us.
The 10 chapels built this summer would be full of people worshipping the Lord.
