In the middle of the build, the team took a free day on Valentine's day and we tagged along to have a special day together as a family. On this day God choose to sell our truck after 3 long months. Praise God!!!!!!!! We were definitely feeling the love of our Father in Heaven as we soaked in the beauty of His creation and came home to find our truck sold on Valentine's day.
Just one day after the team building Alex and Rebecca's house left, another team arrived ready to build a house for another needy family of five. Eduardo, Carmine, Carlyn, Allison, and Henry were all living in very poor conditions. Their home was built from scrap materials and was the equivalent of a shed that no one would want to even put their lawn mower in back home. This team of 4 married couples worked hard to build this family a new home. On the 3rd day of the build, one of the team members received a call from the states informing him that his home had burned down. Here they were in Costa Rica, building a home for a needy family, and their home burned down in the midst of it. To top it all off, he is a retired fire fighter.
Production slowed down dramatically this day as we all mourned for this family. The locals were offering to go to the United Stated to rebuild Gary and Mary Lynn's house that had burnt down. I was very moved by the genuine heartache our Tico friends felt for this couple they had only known for a couple of days. Our local friends did not understand how insurance works in the U.S. and were deeply disturbed that this couple had lost everything. We had to explain to them that they would be able to rebuild, but it would be a lengthy, strenuous, and emotional process.
We prayed over Gary and Mary Lynn that night at church and they naturally cut their stay short and flew home the next morning. When Gary left, he wanted to give 2 of our construction staff members a gift to show his love for them and the deep bond that they had began to share. Gary was limited on time, so he took 2 shirts out of his suitcase and left them for us to give to Victor and Mauricio. Upon receiving their shirts they understood fully what this man had just done. Gary had given these 2 guys that he had only known for a few days, 2 of the only shirts he had left. All the clothes he had left were in his suitcase. These guys took the shirts home and put them up somewhere to treasure them and to remember Gary and Mary Lynn.
The house build went on full speed ahead after the family's departure and we finished the house on the 5th day of the build. As we were finishing the home on the last day (Friday), Pastor Minor, one of our part time 6:8 Ministries Staff members, went to talk to the family. Pastor Minor came back about 1 1/2 hours later to inform me that Eduardo, his mother Aurora, and his father Javier, had all prayed to receive Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. Praise God!!!!! What a good way to finish up a home build and dedicate it to the glory of God! We dedicated the house and the team just couldn't walk away without buying them some new furniture for the home as well. It was a great home build.
This was the best home build yet this year on many different fronts. Now this family has a secure home with indoor plumbing and electricity. The team left the next day and we entered in to a week long break between teams. In this time we have been shopping for a car and getting caught up on some administrative duties. We begin another home build on March 6th with one team, and 2 other teams will be here doing other ministry as well.
Please click on the Expenses page to read about our residency and monthly needs. We are grateful for the unique relationships we have with each one of you. We truly miss you all very much.
with love in Christ,
Jeremy, Heather, Olivia and Ava Hicks
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