Tuesday Jun 26, 2012 Working at Getsemani

Romans 12:6  

So we are to use our different gifts in accordance with the grace that God hás given us...

Today began by greeting old friends.  Glenda, Victor and Pastor Rodriguez.  Nora introduced Sam to the Pastor Rodriguez. 

Our first workshop today was with the sewing group.  New ideas for products and business strategies were shared.  Patricia and Nora showed many new ideas and we went through all of the fabrics that we brought.  Juan Carlos was going over business details including inventory and branding with the group.  He and Lauren went over cash flow with Jose.

We had lunch with our Habitat Leader Alex.  Sam and Juan Carlos took a short break during lunch outside. 

After lunch we took a “tem-pature” (team picture) in front of the mural. 

There was a large group that came to the jewelry workshop.  Patricia was training them on how to use the materials we brought, sharing pictures of ideas and other items and some of the new tools they can use. 

The dremel tool was presented to the jewelry team and will be very useful to them in making their designs. 

This will enable them to use more organic materials from their environment such as beans, pits and seeds to make jewelry and other artisitc items.  Members of this group vary in age from 11 to 18 years old. 

Deb and the youth assembled the tool and Juan Carlos began the training on how to use it. 

 

This was a very exciting day as the groups were extremely receptive and already started implementing the new ideas.

We are pleased that we have two Spanish speaking team members as Patricia has lost her voice.  Juan Carlos has stepped up and is doing a great job.  

Monday Jun 25, 2012 Finally at Getsemani Community

Joshua 24:15  But as for me and my house, we will serve The Lord

                         Pero yo y mi casa, serviremos Al Señor

As we entered the Getsemani Community, we are humbled to see how many of the people live.  This picture is the house where Evelia and her family lived prior to her getting a Habitat House. 

Many of you may remember her, she is the woman MSPC contributed monies toward the purchase of her land.

At our orientation meeting the community showed the projects they are now working on and the leaders of the community were introduced.  The meeting was with our team and the Myers Park volunteers. 

The MSPC team was working on a painting project for the new community center they helped build.  We were all invited to add our handprints to the mural of Hands Around the World.  Deborah choose a multi color hand print.

We met with the women who have developed a cooperative with the sewing, jewelry and art groups.  They are presently waiting for government authorization for their business.  They showed us the quilts they are now doing which are beautiful when you see them in person. 

Our team was able to meet Evelia outside of her new Habitat home.  She is so happy and grateful.  She also babysits many of her grandchildren who are adorable and full of energy.  Their smiles tell us how happy they truly are.

Evelia asked that our team paint her house.  This was not your typical paint job.  This was 100% custom.  She asked that we paint a mural of things that are “Miami” on her house.

Two of the boys from the community were are nominated artists, Pedro and Jose.  Nora was the MSPC artist on site as she painted our Church on Evelia’s home.  Sam also painted the habitat house beneath the steeple. 

We were all delighted that we did not start today with digging foundations and septic tanks.  But tomorrow is a new day, and who knows what that will bring. 

(Our internet service was out, sorry for the delay on this post)