Why Did I Shower?

A post by Matt Swab

I have to laugh as I listen to that question come out of many of our team members. Especially our young men. The answers are many, of course, least of all the increasingly “lovely” smell in the boys room. However, it has rained enough that we might just be able to justify sending them all outside with a few bars of soap!

As I write this, the rain has actually stopped. The waves are gently kneading the shore line in their own, unique legato rhythm. Four of the guys sit on the porch with a guitar while some of the ladies work on projects inside. It is beautiful. It is peaceful.

Yet, even as it has rained, it has brought us refreshment and comfort. Sweeping away the humidity and bringing a welcome coolness to the air. While working at the church in Valentina on Tuesday, the rain was ultimately refreshing while working to stack a huge pile of bricks. Had the weather been warm and sunny and, well let’s face it – pleasant, we would have ended the day sun scorched, exhausted, and sore. Instead, the rain brought with it a coolness and playfulness propelling out team through the day.

Now, you may be thinking, “How does one ‘play’ while moving bricks for hours on end?” Just add two liter bottle with the top cut off. It acts as a great bowl in which to catch water. And what would one do with a bowl of rainwater? Dump it on someone’s head of course! And so a slow, methodical water war began throughout the day. Weaving itself through our work as people found their target waited for an opportune moment and then struck!

Now that it’s over, I must admit that it was actually quite refreshing! Especially, after our morning encounter with a number of rather large cockroaches. In a storage room towards the back of the property, Leslie Thyberg and I were clearing everything out. The room was eventually cleaned (thoroughly) and will become their kitchen as the church construction continues to evolve.

As Leslie and I pushed a large shelving unit out of the way in the back of the room, suddenly we were greeted with a massive, moving starburst. A starburst of cockroaches, ranging in size from “ew” to “OH MY GOSH!!!!!!!!” Leslie jumped back. I jumped into Leslie. Leslie screamed. I screamed…higher than Leslie. The entire team came running. And now I will never live down the fact that I screamed like a girl at a few bugs.

Miraculously, we were saved by the unflappable Hannah Thyberg. Walking in like Jack Bauer she mercilessly eradicated the “problem” all the while encouraging Leslie and I that “they are just bugs.” With her support I was able to bring my voice back down to its proper tenor octave and help with the removal of our creepy crawly friends. However, my pride is still gone. Completely gone…

There are many other stories from the day. Some including lizards and frogs and snails and headless beatles. But the best ones include reuniting with friends from last year and being introduced to new friends. Teaching one another words. Learning to communicate through gestures and broken phrases in English, Portuguese, and Spanish. Hearing about the new ministry program, Alpha, that some of our Brazilian friends are involved in. And being amazed at some of our Brazilian friends who learned an immense amount of English in the past year. They humbly say they have a lot to learn, but what they have done and learned is truly amazing.

That is why we are here. The people. Our physical labor is important, but it is the support, encouragement, and joy that we share with one another that matters. And it is our mutual love and faith in the saving power of Jesus Christ that fuels and enables these things.

Let it rain. Let the sun shine. We will carry on with passion and joy….and perhaps a real shower every now and then.

Soli Deo Gloria

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