Day 12--Olango Island--Take 3!

Well, today was the final day. I wasn't sure what to expect. Molong was unsettled on what he wanted to do.  After I got up, Molong knocked at my door and said, "We are going to the island."  I knew that meant we were on course to finish the grandpa's new house. 

     We went back to the ferry to go across to Olango Island. There were six of us, including Peter, who I baptized the other night. When we arrived at the ferry dock, the tide was low, so we had to wait while they unloaded using the smaller boat. 

     We arrived at the house we were building, and got straight to work. We put up the sides onto the concrete foundation, joined them front and back, and began to work on the roof and the door.  We had several young men from the community join in this time as well. There were kids who were helping in even small ways. It was truly a community affair. 

   We completed everything ahead of schedule, about 2:30 PM.  Our next plan was to escort the grandpa from his old shack, to his new home.  The one lady told us that grandpa had been sleeping outside because his roof leaked.  At times he would get cold even though it rarely goes below 80 degrees. 

When he realized that the new house was for him, he went in, sat in the newly made bed, with a covenants pillow, and started clapping. It was a sight to behold. 

It made the day for all of us. 

     Molong also dropped a tent off for the rest of the family because he learned they were sleeping outside as well. Their house is the next project, but the tent will keep the weather and mosquitos off them till a new place is done. 

     We said our goodbyes and started for home. As we rode back on the back of a side car attached to a motorcycle, I realized I was truly leaving to go home. Wow, what a climax to a wonderful trip!

     Supper was a Lechon, a Filippino specialty--roast pig.  The whole famuly was there, spiritual and bio.  There was food, laughing and remembering.   Sounds kind of story book, perhaps, but it was kind of like that. Every once in a while it needs to be like that. 

     As I sit at the airport waiting for my first flight, there is so much to ponder, many great memories, and a whole new set of extended family members.  It will be good to go home, but the need to return with yet more who can impart skills to these wonderful people, as well as learn something very special from them as well.  It's about the Kingdom of God. We are truly one body in Jesus.