Garden Build Day 3
I went through the gamut of emotions today. First, fear of the heat and humidity today predicted. I was scared for our kids and dehydration. I was scared of how I would get through it.
As we moved into the morning there were some who had not yet arrived and I was angry. I was mad that they could not show up on time and be a part of the program like usual. On mission we are a team. We get up and get ready at the same time, we eat together, we pray together. The fact they were hours late made me angry.
Then they showed up and I was mad at myself. For as angry as I was at them, the delivery we were expecting had not shown up and our worksite came to a standstill. Phones came out and they all went off to their own world.
The afternoon was an entirely different event. The delivery of 20 yards of loam got us moving again. Once again our worksite was moving. The radio was cranking, there were two teams shoveling loam and two teams spreading it. Another group went to Home Depot for plants. We danced while we spread the loam. We argued over music styles. We took time outs for water breaks and to cool off. But once again we were back on track.
One of our parish families texted to say with all we were doing they wanted to send the ice cream truck to us. It was perfect timing. We had finished for the day. The tools were sanitized. The equipment put away and just as they started free time the truck pulled in. They were shocked the ice cream was “free” but even more shocked one of our families provided it for them.
Free time turned into nap time. We had a birthday party for Father T who was an amazing sport at the piñata. Father T may have broken the piñata and spread the candy but 7 year old Matthew “slayed it”. And that means there was literally nothing left.
For our last hour the teens were broken into groups and each group given one of the Stations of the Cross. They needed to study it and come up with how that Station fits in today’s world. Once again, blown away.
Our final prayer service of the day brought me to tears. To listen to the reflection and music of CB, to hear what the teens thought of the work day and what is making an impact on them, to hear Deacon C give his talks and insight, to hear the beauty of a teen pray. I was moved to tears.
Today I was approached by a community member from a different Christian church. He was so impressed with what our teens were doing and asked if people from his church could come and pray in “our” garden. Again and again I marvel at the power of God.
We may be in the midst of a pandemic. Our trip to Tacoma was cancelled. This project sprung to be when so many questioned if it could work. Despite all our fears, despite all our doubts, God had a plan for us. And we accepted it. So I may be on an emotional roller coaster, but in this project, I thank God for each and every person he has placed in our path to make this come together.
