Third Day at the Long House

The roosters crow strenuous chords as the rain pelts down on the tin roof of the long house. The sound is comforting but does little to assuage my aching and tired body. Last night I hardly slept a wink due to my sunburns. Everywhere I turned I was met with searing pain. So sleep escaped me.

Heading out to the job site, the rain lightly drizzled. With no sun in sight and a kingdom of gray clouds blanketing the sky, the day promised easy working conditions. At the work site, we double-timed to get the concrete laid in the church floor while the wet concrete slipped out of the big green and white mixing truck. Jenna, Devon and I worked hard getting the wheel barrels full of cement into the church to finish the task.

The day kept it’s vow and gave to us a pleasant gift of rain to quench the thirst of the parched earth and regenerate our energy. At the long house for lunch, the native people served an incredibly delectable meal of mouth watering greens, rice, eggs, fruit and iced drink. B-dog “found” a sugar cane plant, although it was probably one of the native men, and we cut it up and shared it among the group. To eat it you have to peel off chunks with your teeth because it is really fibrous. After you have it peeled, you simply chew it around until you only have left the fibrous strings which you spit out. Sugar cane sends an amazing burst of flavor jetting through your mouth. It tastes somewhat like sweet milk or coconut milk.

When we got back to work we lost Vince and Russ. They went to the third church to lay bricks because their church needed the extra help. When we started working again, the sun decided to get vengeance on the rain. It bore through the clouds, unseen, creating the largest and most extreme sauna. As the minutes slowly ticked by our group slowly lost energy. Sweat poured down my face and back as I prayed for the sun to relent. It did go away little by little but it was always present. So we decided to work with it. We told stories while working slowly, conserving energy and having fun but still getting the job done. The day passed quickly and finally we cleaned up for Sabbath. As we drove back to our long house, I repeatedly thanked the wonderful Lord for His blessed Sabbath!

The sunset was strikingly beautiful. As the sun descended below the horizon, I remember thinking how lucky I am. Not many teenagers my age get to travel across the world. But I am so thankful that I have. Looking out the opening in the shower room ceiling, I could see the rich green of the jungle in the distance. I just remember being so enthused about being in this culture, doing what they do each day along with them.

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