Denver was COLD and snowy this morning as we left the Third CRC parking lot.  The roads were VERY icy and VERY slippery.  We saw several accidents as we crawled slowly out of town.

Just before we reached I-70, a Jeep and an Acura spun out in front of us.  Looking into the windshield of a vehicle traveling West but facing East is quite a thrill – but likely even more of a thrill for the woman in the car who was sliding backwards on ice while facing a bus heading straight for her!  We all somehow managed to avoid them even though they hit each other and the guard rail.  We made sure they were OK and traveled on.

After Vail, the roads cleared considerably and we were out to dinner by 7:30 in Cedar City, Utah.

Let me begin by saying that we are all safely tucked away in our “home” for the next week: Pancho Villa, Mexico.

The day went well – unless you do not like:

long miles of bumper to bumper - stop and go traffic

California agriculture inspectors with NO sense of humor

California agriculture inspectors who insist on looking inside a locked tool trailer

Border crossings that take well over an hour

            Arriving at camp in the dark

But we were heartily greeted at Pancho Villa by many of our friends who came to welcome us.  Scott and Marcia (providentially) joined us in San Diego and were quite helpful in getting us through the border.

The first all-veteran team from Denver split into two groups this morning.

After the annual “safety speech” (sent with the team by the Skipper) one group set out for Terrazas to start building the new sanctuary there.  We were impressed by the readiness of the site as well as the nearly level foundation on which to build.  By the end of the day, the two walls were framed and set in place and the truss-building crew was ready to start cranking out the trusses.  The gussets are nearly all cut.  If only we had one more sheet of plywood!  Electrical work was making good progresses as well.

The second crew stayed behind at Pancho Villa to work on our second project: a two-story addition to the Classroom/Parsonage building there.  The walls are already going up on the second floor.

Tonight we will enjoy one of the famous Gladys/Kelly feasts and gather for devotions then rest our weary bones under the loving protection of our great God.

Wednesday, March 23, 2010

Yesterday was a great day and today was another one!

Both projects are going along well.

The addition at Pancho Villa even has shingles on already!

At Terrazas the trusses are all built AND in place.  Some of the roof has sheeting nailed down and the rest is on the schedule for tomorrow.  Chicken wire is also tomorrow's project.  We plan to build the stage (for the pulpit area) and finish the wall behind the pulpit as well.  The electrical work is moving along as fast as the framing crew can accommodate.

Thank God for a great team and a great time!

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Another great day!  No injuries, LOTS of work done, many blessings.

Shingles are well underway, chicken wire is nearly done, electrical progresses well, the big stage for the pulpit area is nearly built, and people love the results so far.  Even neighbors from up the hill are seeing the amazing structure and come for a closer look and they too give thanks to God.

We did get quite a bit of help from the Rehab guys who carried the shingles to the high roof.

Friday, March 26, 2010

Mission accomplished!

Our work is done.  The addition at Pancho Villa, bunk beds at the halfway house, the trusses, the framing of the sanctuary, the stage, the shingles, the chickenwire, the bracing, the electrical, and a few other tasks are all done. . . .without injury or incident.  We ended with a wonderful Service of Dedication with the men from the Rehab Center as well as people from the community.

Thank God for this place of worship.  Pray that it will serve Him and His people for many years.  Pray that the team may now travel home in safety (and maybe get some rest on the way home too).

Saturday, March 27

After a prayer by Pastor Armando Ponse, we enjoyed a record-fast and easy border crossing (the line was only about 15 cars deep and the border guards were friendly).  The team then had the traditional IHop breakfast with the Geurinks and a wonderful day of travel.  The team is out to dinner and will soon be tucked away for the night here in Cedar City, Utah.

It is amazing how well the vehicles run both on the horrible bumpy roads in Mexico and also on the freeways.  Maybe it helps that our friends, Edgar and Salvador, washed them all for us yesterday.

Thank God for this awesome team and the wonderful blessing they have been to so many people!

The team arrives safely back at Third CRC.  We even had a bit of a police escort (salute really) in Silverthorne.  Give thanks to our awesome God!!!!!