Cleaning Sand!

Kiera found a puppy and I don't think she plans on giving it back!

Well, we have already been hear nearly 2 weeks. Aside from our family being plagued by a nice stomach bug, our time here has been good. We are enjoying more focused family time, reconnecting with the Ficker family, keeping busy in the clinics, and even trying to squeeze in some time for Spanish lessons. Although, I'd have to say one of the highlights for me thus far is the few days I've been able to break away to help with some of the construction. Its been great being around the Ficker men while absorbing their years of construction experience as we see this once unassuming, dusty, Guatemalan cow pasture slowly transform into a legitimate hospital property. Its been an honor to dig in the footing trenches alongside the Guatemalan workers, tape and chalk the property, and even help with the first concrete pour.

As I stand in the middle of what will be the hospital, diesel smoke and dust fills my nostrils, and hot dry sand covers my skin. I can see a strong, sturdy fence completely around the perimeter. I can see two new structures for housing missionaries and volunteers(and some day hospital workers) that is almost complete. In front of me, I see large piles of river sand(over 350 dump truck loads). Next to the sand, there is an ever growing pile of recently crushed rocks, and a newly started pile of cleaned sand. At my feet, I stand on at least 2-3 feet of flattened fill, as much of the river sand has been used to raise the hospital property site and has now been smoothly excavated. Behind me, I turn to see large trenches that have been dug for footings, and I step carefully as most of the property has been taped off with fishing wire and chalked were we will continue to dig footings.

The grain auger spitting out clean sand.

These are exciting times to be here in Canilla. God has done so much through such a myriad of people it continues to astonish me. As I said, I really have no construction experience, but I have thoroughly enjoyed learning. One thing I found interesting was the importance of clean sand. Now to me, the word clean sand really feels like an oxymoron. Although, I've learned having clean sand is of the utmost importance to making strong, long lasting, and durable concrete. Over the last week the Fickers alongside Ryan Korporal have worked tirelessly trying to develop a system to clean sand, so we can have a strong concrete foundation. As I've often seen done in medicine in the developing world, one has to be willing to be flexible as often the most appropriate tool is unavailable for use. I've seen these men do the same as they have to make less then ideal equipment "work" to get the job done. They initially were able to wash 2-3 truck loads of sand by reverse engineering an old grain auger.  When the bearings wore out on the auger they then used the cement mixer to thoroughly wash and prepare clean sand. Their hard work has paid off as we now have an ever growing pile of clean sand and the first batch of concrete was excellent quality, and will help form a strong foundation.

The first row of footings and re-bar.

As I've watch the sand cleaning project unfold I can't help think of the comparisons to our own spiritual lives. We as humans are all unclean and filled with sin. We have no way to cleanse ourselves, and without being cleansed none of us our worthy to stand before our creator, a Holy God. Fortunately, God has given us the solution. In some ways on the outside, the re-engineered grain auger, and adapted cement mixer are more impressive then the solution that was given to us by God. On the outside we were given a simple Jewish carpenter, who was in no way physically appealing. Thankfully, this Jewish carpenter was sent from Heaven and was both God and man. Through his death and blood we are cleansed from our sin, and only He can restore us to a Holy God. The idea of getting to serve a mighty God who gave His son for me is more then enough to motivate me to live for Him.  John says it well in 1 John 1:7-9:

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness