We all have been working really hard over the past couple days but also playing hard too! On Tuesday we had another day of rest after our New Years party the night before. We took a 20 block walk down to La Rambla which is the boardwalk by the beach. The water was a bit chilly but refreshing, wavy and perfect for playing around in. Some of us smashed heads a couple of times but nothing a little Ibuprofen can’t fix.
Wednesday is when the work really began.We woke up at 7:30 for breakfast and then had private devotions at 8:30.

Group devotions at 9 where we decided our theme for the day was going to be encouragement. We then worked from 9:30 until lunch which was around 2:30. We are digging the foundation for an addition to the church. When we arrived and looked at the back yard it was a massive pile of rocks, clay, mud, dirt, sand and holes. Some of our first jobs were to move the piles of sand to make a path to the large dumpster for  the already demolished building pieces and the rocky innards of the holes. We were all lacking energy by lunch. We all worked hard to encourage each other and  help each other get through the day. Lunch was a much needed physical and emotional break for us all. Then it was back for work until snack time.

Then Ricki Anne surprised us with a trip to the beach! We fell asleep on the shore, took walks, swam, and had lovely conversations to relax from the work day. We all slept good that night!
On day 2 we decided to work not only on encouragement but also on patience. In the 80 degree weather and under the hot sun our tempers can be tested and it is easy to snap without thinking. Our patience was tested but we worked hard, paced ourselves and did well with our patience challenge.
Everyday we choose a new challenge for ourselves to help us grow as individuals and as a group.
We are working more towards interacting with the Uruguans we are in close contact with every day and developing those connections despite the language barrier.

We thank you for your prayers and continued support while we are here serving God and the people of Uruguay.
Until next time,
April, Brent, Calvin, Courtney, Denise, Lisse, and Mike.