It Is So Hard To Say Chow

Wednesday

We arrived early and each team went to finish up all incomplete tasks.  Our hope is to finish every project that we started.  On a personal note I went straight to work on trying to upload our pictures to the blog from yesterday.  The internet was completely out at our hotel.  We have VERY SLOW dial up here at the La Granja and it has taken way too much time to get anything blog wise done.  Fortunately this has been beneficial because it gave me extra time to spend getting to know the staff, volunteers, and the boys.  All of the boys have books and they have asked each of us to write something to them in their book before we leave.  All of us broke away from whatever we were doing to sit and write in their books and spend a few minutes with them.  They have all had hard lives and this facility is often the first place they have lived where they felt safe.   They are all amazing kids who still have their own individual struggles and we are forever grateful for the time we have spent with them.

The Electrical Team spent the day finishing all the projects they had started and did an amazing job.  Extreme Gardening only had a few loose ends and they all help finish things up with the Painting Team.  The team working on the wall finished all the prep work and helped the masons begin building the wall.  The plumbing team worked very hard to try to repair as many issues as possible.  We wish we could stay here as long as needed and get every issue repaired.   We are all very proud of what we accomplished.  

After lunch a new Cooking Team was formed and dinner was prepared for all of the wonderful hosts who have taken great care of all of us this week.   We grilled steaks, chorizo, corn on the cobb, and potatoes.  It was delicious and we all enjoyed eating outside around the new fire pit. 

Then it was time to pack up and get ready to leave.  It is very hard to say goodbye to these young men.  They have lost so much and it feels as if our leaving is only adding to that.  Many tears were shed and lots of hugs were given.  We want to just pack them in our suitcases and bring them home with us.  They all expressed the hope that we would come back next year.  How do you say no to that?  We gave a few small tokens of love back and forth and drove away.  Please, Please, Please, pray for these young men to continue to progress in the programs Project Jonas has provided and to grow in Christ.

We are leaving the hotel tomorrow and the ability to blog may not be available.  This may be the last one till we return.  I will be able to post many more pictures and tell you even more when we get home.  Please pray for safe travels for our team.  

                                                                                  Love, Team Venezuela Construction Team 2 - 2011