Push the House Off the Cliff

Today was probably one of the most difficult builds emotionally and physically that I have ever helped with. When we first arrived at the build site the house we had to clean out the old house. The inside of the house had cement floors, 2 mattresses, an old fridge that they used as shelves, and a few tables. We packed all their belongings the best we could and put the big items off to the side.  

The house when we began.

Once we got everything out of the house we started to take down the old house. To do this we knocked out parts of the wall and then took the chainsaw to the support beams. The guys then got behind the house and began to push the house. We literally pushed their old house off the side of the mountain. Any time we have a take down it always gets to me a little bit more then when the house site is already clear because we are destroying their home. I don’t know how I could let a bunch of strangers come and just push my house off the side of the mountain and trust them to build me a house to sleep in that night.

Once we pushed the house off the mountain we began to measure for the house. This house was smaller than other houses because we couldn’t fit a 16x16 house. Instead the house we build was about 13x16. However, Yoni had a really good idea to do an add on to this house since it was going to be smaller than normal, so we built a little outside kitchen area.

Ready to start setting posts. 

Mark broke through the concrete. 

Setting the posts was also a challenge because there was a cement flooring. Normally with a cement flooring we do not build a floor in our houses but today we needed to because where their house was water was running off the road and right through their house. With the new flooring the water will now run underneath their house.

Remember that hammer that hit Jo Dawns face? We killed it. 

Don't mess with Jo Dawn!

Getting the last wall up.

Me and Beverly <3

Me and Will

We put up the two side walls first and started the floor. Once we had some of the floor done we were able to put some of the items back inside the house and put up the 3^rd wall. After we had all the walls done Yoni began working on the extra addition to our house. It was amazing to see how Yoni’s mind worked and was able to envision this kitchen….which Jonothan called a chicken at one point in the day (haha he is still learning his English).

Bet sweeping out the sawdust.

Another Jesus moment we had at the house was after we opened the donation bag for this house. The bags are packed randomly but inside of this bag was 2 sets of sheets (They had 2 beds) and a bunch of 6 month old baby boys. Which is how old the nephew of the lady we built the house for was. 

Inside the finished house!

When we finished the house we did the prayer and dedication. I wish that I could let you all hear Yoni pray. I don’t know 90% of what he says in his prayers but they are some of the most beautiful prayers that I have ever heard. He is constantly thanking God for everything, the house build, the family, the Americans, the day, the nails, the hard work, His love, etc. He prayers for literally about 10-15 minutes each time he does a pray.

While cleaning out their old house we found this picture of the lady's 

husband. She must have lost it for a long time because it brought her to 

tears. We hung it up right beside our dedication board. 

The family

The outside kitchen...

 or chicken as Jonathan would say!

The house is finished!

 After devo tonight we had the reading of the book of Hezekiah, which for those of you who do not know is basically a book of inside jokes from trips. To all of us it is hilarious, to you all it probably would be a bunch of rambling that does not make sense. Then we had Mr. Bob tell his story. He is a Vietnam Veteran and what he went through would bring you to tears. I thank God that he spared his life and I get to have him be a part of these trips and my life.

It is crazy to me that we are in our last day. Today I am sure is going to be a difficult day for me. More than likely this is going to be Tricky’s last house build. Miss Sarah raised money and we are building this house and dedicating it to Tricky. I will be sure to take many pictures.