This past week we have had some builders at our house expanding the kitchen. The one thing that really made us not want to rent this house was the fact that the kitchen was so small. With a little sweet talking with the owners of the house we got permission to use some of the rent money to pay for the building costs. It is customary here to pay for a full year of rent at the start of the year. Our rental bill is $6000 a year. We were allowed to use half of that for the building project. It is hard to believe that we can build a 14’ x 22’ addition for $3000. That doesn’t include the cost of the interior finishing (ie paint, cabinets, flooring etc). The labor included in the price comes out to about $400. The rest is the cost of materials.
So, I said all that to say this: all this week I have been juggling my Bible and Swahili studies with babysitting the builders. And it is a good thing that I did. Several times I had to correct mistakes they were making. The builders will be gone for a few days while the concrete hardens. I will use the time to write and translate a few sermons. I will be filling in for Greg Wagoner as he is away for the first 3 weeks in March. I am praying that the Lord will use me to impact the lives of these people.
Just for perspective:
Today we had a meeting with the men of the church concerning a 40-ish year old widow who attends our church regularly. About 2 months ago Mama John began the process to build a house near our church. She began making the mud bricks she would use for the construction of her house and she hired some builders to construct the house. Time has passed and her 10’ x 20’ two room house is only ½ done. She has run out of money and is very worried that the soon coming rains will completely destroy all the work she has done. She is correct. Without a roof on the house the rain will destroy all the mud bricks. Because she has no money and her only profit comes from farming her small plot she has asked the church for help. Today, the men measured up what materials were needed: 11 pieces of tin roofing, approx 15 2x4, nails and other miscellaneous items. Total cost: $300. Unfortunately, it looks grim for Mama John, the people just don’t have that much money to spare. Pray for her situation.
Today we had a meeting with the men of the church concerning a 40-ish year old widow who attends our church regularly. About 2 months ago Mama John began the process to build a house near our church. She began making the mud bricks she would use for the construction of her house and she hired some builders to construct the house. Time has passed and her 10’ x 20’ two room house is only ½ done. She has run out of money and is very worried that the soon coming rains will completely destroy all the work she has done. She is correct. Without a roof on the house the rain will destroy all the mud bricks. Because she has no money and her only profit comes from farming her small plot she has asked the church for help. Today, the men measured up what materials were needed: 11 pieces of tin roofing, approx 15 2x4, nails and other miscellaneous items. Total cost: $300. Unfortunately, it looks grim for Mama John, the people just don’t have that much money to spare. Pray for her situation.
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