Another day spent under the burning sun, flying around mountain tops and in the back of trucks - but at the end of this particular day we have provided shelter, food, blankets, medicine and most importantly hope to over 400 people. As these days continue, as our sights and abilities grow in both aspiration and actual tangible skill I cannot even fathom what I was doing three weeks ago.
My past life is but a distant memory, and all that remains are stories of adventure, chaos and triumph. With each passing mission we have accomplished more with less. Each time we are more prepared, bringing more supplies, and a few new ideas. This day passed delivering enough tin roofing material for 96 families to now have much needed shelter over their heads. We provided medical supplies to a line of needy that seemed to stretch the entirety of the village square. We have expanded these missions to not just include food, water and medicine, but bringing with us now a mobile child art therapy tent which the children seem to adore. Seeing their faces light up as we hand them art supplies, a piece of chocolate and ask them to pass a few hours with us simply drawing what comes naturally, one can see the true benefit of this immediately, and the effect warms my heart to melting point. Their smiles and constant energy have worn off on me, somehow powering through mission after mission, each one more adventurous than the last, I feel like I could fly. We try and pace ourselves, we try and keep tabs on each other and to always take it easy so that we can continue this activity for the foreseeable future. But I must be honest. To me there is nothing in the world I would rather be doing. It’s hard work. Really hard work. After a day like we just had, returning home bruised, beaten up, burnt, exhausted and hungry, I might be completely crazy for saying so - but I couldn’t be happier, and my heart is exploding with joy. Enough so to keep me going for the next one, and the next one.
Working side by side with the villagers and our BIA crew - together under the blazing sun. This team has become like a family, and this family has become so much more than we could have ever imagined. We give our hearts every time we go out, and this has made us strong. Together we have grown so much. Together we have become more than we believed we ever could. Together we have discovered what it takes to keep it going, and what a difference every single effort really makes. Together under the sun we are building not only shelter, but community and a family.
My past life is but a distant memory, and all that remains are stories of adventure, chaos and triumph. With each passing mission we have accomplished more with less. Each time we are more prepared, bringing more supplies, and a few new ideas. This day passed delivering enough tin roofing material for 96 families to now have much needed shelter over their heads. We provided medical supplies to a line of needy that seemed to stretch the entirety of the village square. We have expanded these missions to not just include food, water and medicine, but bringing with us now a mobile child art therapy tent which the children seem to adore. Seeing their faces light up as we hand them art supplies, a piece of chocolate and ask them to pass a few hours with us simply drawing what comes naturally, one can see the true benefit of this immediately, and the effect warms my heart to melting point. Their smiles and constant energy have worn off on me, somehow powering through mission after mission, each one more adventurous than the last, I feel like I could fly. We try and pace ourselves, we try and keep tabs on each other and to always take it easy so that we can continue this activity for the foreseeable future. But I must be honest. To me there is nothing in the world I would rather be doing. It’s hard work. Really hard work. After a day like we just had, returning home bruised, beaten up, burnt, exhausted and hungry, I might be completely crazy for saying so - but I couldn’t be happier, and my heart is exploding with joy. Enough so to keep me going for the next one, and the next one.
Working side by side with the villagers and our BIA crew - together under the blazing sun. This team has become like a family, and this family has become so much more than we could have ever imagined. We give our hearts every time we go out, and this has made us strong. Together we have grown so much. Together we have become more than we believed we ever could. Together we have discovered what it takes to keep it going, and what a difference every single effort really makes. Together under the sun we are building not only shelter, but community and a family.
