E-mail received from Matt Murphy~Tuesday, February 24th at 11:53:

Much was accomplished today in Venezuela. Our personal rewards continue for each of us on this trip, but more importantly the team experienced today tremendous progress at both the orphanage and the seminary.

The seminary team worked all day on the wall that must be built. Steven, Kelly, Ethan, Peter, Steve, Scott and Matt M. worked along side our friends from Venezuela and installed about half of what needs to be accomplished this week. The wall was put in to the point where more blocks are needed and scaffolds set up. This wall is extremely important for the property and the goal set for the week must be reached. It will still take a great deal of work. Samuel's grandmother takes care of all the cooking for the entire crew. We are treated so well. It has been interesting experiencing this culture. On breaks we are served coffee with a hot snack. Lunch is excellent and is the big meal of the day. Today the stove was not working so a fire was built outside and lunch was cooked on an open flame. We share our meals with the entire group and get to know our friends much better.

The orphanage crew also made significant progress on the projects for the week. Today was spent finishing the second floor and applying a stucco like material to the walls. Matt H., Kim, Molly, John, Rick and Stacy put in another tough day but the building has come such a long way since we arrived. Today was the last day of carnival and tomorrow the children go back to school. We will miss them during the day, however the entire team will be going to an outreach tomorrow night in a nearby neighborhood that is set up for children. Pastor Yolanda cooked lunch for the crew today as her house is essentially on the same grounds as the church and orphanage. She is seeing her dream built before her eyes and her appreciation to all of us is truly felt each and every visit. It has been particularly rewarding having two projects for the week with both the seminary and orphanage.

Both crews returned to the house for pizza. We shared a devotional lead by Kelly. Our friends and hosts, Samuel and Joey, joined us for dinner and devotional. As we talked through the scripture we were discussing, both shared some feelings on what the verses meant to them. Our team was struck by their words and feelings as they related the verses to their new American friends who have come on this trip to make this contribution. The people here continue to amaze us. If they only knew how much each of us continue to grow because of them and the work we have come here to do.