Work has begun!

• Day One ~ This is the reason you have not heard from me over the past two days. Day One seemed liked it would kill me. We spent the day moving rocks in baskets, digging ditches, transferring dirt from one location to the next, laying brick (for hours), and to top it all off, it was very hot outside! Upon our return back to the hotel, I immediately went to sleep.
• Day Two ~ Things started looking up. We still transferred rock, shoveled and layed brick, but now we also straightened rebar (for hours), again, in the heat! Like all changes in life, after a little time to adapt, things don't seem so impossible. I suprised myself, as I dug dirt into a wheelbarrow for an hour straight! I'm really not sure where the strength came from, but it proves to me that with enough passion and dedication to something you deem important, you can do anything! Day Two also earned me the award of first injury on the worksite. I was sitting in what we called the "circle of fun", actually a coil of rebar that was being cut into sections by another team member, when a cut was made and the rebar sprung back and punctured the front of my calf. At first it looked like nothing, but then the blood came, and clearly, it was more than nothing. It was immediately cleaned and bandaged and now I have a huge bandage covering a Habitat War Wound.
• Day Three ~ It continues to be an enormous amount of physical labor, but somehow, we also continue to do it! We work from 8 to 4:30 Monday through Saturday, with Sunday off. I can't wait for Sunday!

Here are some highlights to date ~

• We found a coffee shop I like more than Starbucks! It's perfect, except for the rats that sometimes frequent the joint.
• Speaking of rats, they also frequent our Hotel Lobby!
• The children here are so beautiful, but so very, very poor. When we go to dinner and sit outside, I divide my meal into portions and feed the children who are begging.
• Trash is everywhere. I mean everywhere!
• When you attempt to take a shower, the water shuts off at least once every ten minutes. Electricy shuts down several times a night!
• The Team members I am working with are unbelievable. Some of the best people I have ever met. Friendships to treasure forever!

Well.. I am very tired and since I have to be up first thing in the morning, I will leave you with this. Life here is simple. It is poor, broken down, dirty, and full of poverty, but the people are happy for the most part. It makes everything look possible. When I feel tired and defeated, I just look into one of the locals eyes and remember, if they can do it, I have no excuse!

Good Night!