The Grove

It brings me great joy to say I have worked side by side with the Grove Church! Justin has built with them for a few years now and was excited for me to finally work with them as well. Each person was a wonderful, sarcastic, hard-working child of God who truly had a heart of a servant. It was a pleasure to build a home with them for a single mom and her five kids. Not only was it my first time working with this group, it was my first time building in Acuna. Despite the extremely hot and humid weather, the week was incredible!


The father of the family took off to San Antonio some time ago and Marisol and her children (ages 11-18) never heard from him again. They fell behind in rent and were forced to move out. Fortunately, the church they attend allowed them to live in a room at the church (one small room) so they did not have to be on the streets. Obviously one small room is not enough space for six people to live in, so Marisol's sister let her have a piece of land - and that is where we came in and built them a new home!


It was a blessing and honor to build a home for this beautiful family. Each one of them had a gentle, kind, patient, and gracious spirit. They were eager to practice the little English they knew with us, as well as teach us some Spanish. The kids were also excited to help us build, whether it be putting the walls together or hanging drywall. The mother was so grateful of what we were doing for her family that she and her two daughters made lunch for us every day (the tamales and salsa verde were the best!). But the most amazing and beautiful thing happened at the end of the second day, when the walls were up and the roof was on...everyone was inside of the house, exhausted and ready to call it a day. As usual, one person prayed, another translated...and just then Marisol broke out in worship to God; praising, singing, thanking Him for what He had done, crying "santo, santo, santo" (holy, holy, holy)...while the rest of us stood in awkward silence that soon turned to awe. Here was a woman (most would say a poor, unfortunate woman) standing in front of us, unafraid and unashamed to outwardly and publicly express her love for God, because He was/is the only thing that mattered to her. She truly was grateful that He was providing for her family...but it was more than that. You got the feeling that she loved and worshiped the Lord, no matter what circumstance she was in, for the mere fact that He is Lord. We all learned an important lesson from her that day...


There is no doubt in my mind that this family will use this house to further serve the Lord and we will one day see them in heaven. Praise be to God!


phillipians 4:12-13
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.