4.5 WEEKS TO GO...

Decking the house, stolen phone, blistered hands, bruised legs, hand carrying blocks by the thousands, flat tire, new builders, broken truck, sore feet, tired back. Lots of laughter, some dancing, tears of thanks, cries of frustration, lots of caffeine, driving school, stolen truck battery, too much sun, not enough Jesus, 30 happy kiddos, a team of amazing friends, working night and day, without complaint. Quick trip to the beach, a stomach bug & fever from Satan himself, and a great reminder from God to REST.

Doors are going in! Tiles are up next...

This basically sums up the last 8 weeks. We're so tired and so overwhelmed and yet we've never experienced such joy, peace, hope, and love for each other, this community, this project and this country.

Every single day is full of problems of its own. Nothing is ever easy here and yet all problems come with fairly simple solutions - one has to only open their eyes! Like a flat tire - a few minutes and less than $0.25 later, and you're back on the road.

The last month has been full of so many ups and downs, it's like riding on a roller coaster without a harness. But we have more than survived and conquered a huge set of tasks. In the last 6 weeks, the house has gone from looking like a foundation with a bunch of walls to looking like a HOUSE.

The first floor of the building was decked the middle of July, allowing us to start the 2nd floor walls a few days later. The 2nd floor is now just a small beam away from being completed, and then the roofing will start later this week! While the 2nd floor is almost ready for roofing, the bottom is getting its finishings on - plastering of the walls, tiling of the floors, and finishing up the electrical work & plumbing.

AND - We are just 4 1/2 WEEKS away from receiving our first TEAM from the U.S.!! And we couldn't be more excited!! Our visitors are helping to push our team to get the house (mostly) ready.

This is Phil's best attempt at protesting going
 to driving school...at 6am...every freaking day..

We are working around the clock to make sure we are (mostly) ready to start operating as well! Our team from the States may very well be the first team to help us accept our first children into the Project Little Feet Children's Home!

We are excited and blessed beyond belief. How is this all happening so fast?! God has been so faithful over the last year - yes, we've already marked a YEAR in Mozambique. And now, we're seeing this dream come to LIFE - a tangible, growing vision that took a little faith, a lot of help, and a ton interventions from God.

Now, we are entering a new phase. In a few short weeks, we'll have a beautiful, functional home to welcome abused and abandoned children into a new life. But a building is just that - nothing more than blocks and cement and iron. We want to make this house into a HOME. Will you help us make this house a comfortable, inviting, child-friendly home, where our little ones can heal and enjoy a bit of childhood?

We need everything from beds & sheets to toys & tooth brushes, plates & cups and a fridge & oven. (A washing machine would be a dream come TRUE!!)

We'll be putting together a list of items and the cost of each. (Sign up for our weekly email on our Facebook Page - HERE.) Get together with your workout buddies, work friends, community group, Bible study, or church, and sponsor an item or a whole room!

You can also host an event - a run/walk, cycling event, lemonade stand or "give" your birthday to Heart for the Needy! There are so many great ways to raise awareness AND help us make this HOUSE INTO A HOME!!

This journey is far from over - we're really JUST getting started. And we couldn't have done it without your love & support!

Please pray for us as we prep for our team and the opening of the children's home. We know that everything will work together for good.

May God bless your socks off this week!!

Hugs,

Phil, Laura and Jadon, too