Putting the Roof on

In response to, “How was your trip?” I have to choose one aspect of this multi-faceted journey. Thinking back on Mission to Mexico (M2M), I've decided to talk about “putting the roof on.” But let me tell you where these thoughts have taken me.

You see, there’s the team building and fund-raising, the three P’s: packing and preparation and pre-loading. There’s the road trip, travel meals, churches we stay at and other stops along the way. After crossing the border there's the camp where we set up tents and camp kitchen and dig a fire pit and put chairs all around it.

The focus of our "Mission" is on the work site where we meet the family and play with kids and actually build a house! But this comes in stages: we level and build a form, mix and lay a concrete foundation, build walls and put them up, then add the roofing, stucco siding, doors and windows. Finally we gather with the family inside their new home and pray with them and hand over the keys!

There’s always the “story within a story” of team-building and devotional times and conversations in the vans and talks around the campfire and all those “teachable moments.” This inside story is really my favorite but there’s just way too much to say about all that.

Why would I choose “putting on the roof” as a starting point for sharing? On day two we read in our devotions: “ Love bears all things like a roof bears the wind and the rain, life a roof that bears the burden of lashing storms, brutal heat. Real love is a roof. Real love makes you into a shelter, a safe place. Real love makes you safe." (Ann Voskamp)

The roof we put on offers hope to a young family whose house burned down on Christmas Eve in an electrical fire! It will keep the rain out and provide shade. Below this roof there is space for their house to become a home. A home where all kinds of domestic activities take place: cooking & eating, dressing & sleeping, conversations with family & guests. A home that shelters and protects - a place of safety.

"Putting the roof on" is the culmination of hours of teamwork and cooperation. No one person can do it alone, or even three or four of the best and strongest. Everyone is needed to get it in place, even if it's fetching a hammer or moving a ladder. It takes a community working together to create safe places.

You can help "put the roof on" in your community:

• Being "fully present" to others, taking time to share space where we are fully engaged

• Practicing true acceptance that creates space for others to be themselves, without fear of judgment or concerns that you are trying to change them

• Using "encouraging words," speaking only what is helpful for building others up (Eph. 4:29)

• Being "quick to listen and slow to speak," seeking first to understand before offering advice (James 1:19)

"Putting the roof on" provides protection from the storms of life. Under this shelter we find rest & restoration and begin to heal from the wounds received in the "not safe" places. Our M2M team was able to give shelter and safety which will allow a Mexican family's life to go forward. We also received understanding and insights that refocus the direction of our own lives!