L1 - Day 4

Day 4 – There are train tracks 200 yards from Fish Camp Luling. There are a number of crossings in the area. Around 11 p.m., 2:30 a.m. and 4 a.m. trains pass by and sound their whistles at each of those crossings. In fact, those trains were the first topic of conversation on Monday morning after our first night’s “sleep.” When you’re getting up at 5 a.m. train whistles at 2 and 4 definitely do not qualify as welcome sounds.

This morning, after night number 4, only one of us could recall hearing any trains last night. Could it have been the sleep of the righteous? Or merely the exhausted?

You may remember that when we left work yesterday we were quite frustrated by our initial attempts to lift the hardwood floors. That frustration lingered just below the surface as we drove to the worksite this morning. In fact, David gave us a pep talk encouraging the group to approach the process from the perspective that we had two days to get the floor done, so let’s not get nuts if even if is excruciatingly slow. Well, forget about two days. Those floors were all but history by lunch. Someone who didn’t know us might well have mistaken us for a well oiled MACHINE. It was hard, back breaking, sweaty work. Each room seemed to have different nails that required different methods of removal. Slowly, but surely, the sidewalk pile of oak planking grew and grew.

Meanwhile, outside, our industrial weed-whacker person extraordinaire – Emily – tamed the front “lawn.” Our efficiency allowed us to head back to camp early with a refreshment stop on the way.

Tonight was our night to lead evening devotions. As we were tossing around ideas one of the “moments” of the week came up. On the wall next to the back door of the house hung two pictures – Mary and Jesus. Our homeowner, Eric, commented how glad he was that they were above the high water mark and so undamaged. On Monday, when the wallboard demo reached them, they were taken down and put safely aside. Wednesday afternoon, during the rush and hustle of clean-up, Jeff suddenly shouted, “They put Jesus in the trash!” It broke the place up. But it also burrowed into our head and heart. How easy it is and how often each of us manages to put Jesus in the trash. Not intentionally- not without sorrow when we realize it- and yet how often. “Lord, when did we see you naked, or hungry, or in prison.”

Until tomorrow, keep those prayers coming.

A postscript from David: Last night while we were at dinner, I was talking with Mary Kay about how frustrating the hardwood had been and how exhausted everyone was. I said to her, “Tomorrow will be the test of who we are.” Let me tell you, these representatives of yours, are incredible beyond words. They have served Christ well. Even more than well, but I can’t think of any other words this late at night. Blessings to you. DVD