We used this van to get around Juarez throughout the week.  The dorms we stayed in are in front of the van.

The Suncreek crew loads up.

Our first task was to remove the existing structure.  It was built with cardboard (painted white), wood pallets that were wired together, and particleboard.

The team works to cut the wire that joined the wood pallets.

Our first construction task was to dig a trench for the first layer of cinder blocks.

The team continues to dig a trench while tying to avoid a water pipe.

Work continues on the trench.

The last trench was dug along the wall that would link the new structure to the old part of the home.

The Suncreek “Blockheads” form a chain to move cinder blocks into the center of the home.

Work begins laying block on the back wall.

A string was used to facilitate laying the block.

Ally laying cinder blocks.

Jo Anne shows off her trowel skills.

Pouring cement in the corner sections of the wall.

Look at those Suncreek folks mixing it up.

There really is an art to this task!  Miro and Picasso would be proud.

The cement crew hears another call for a heavy bucket.

Alan adds water to the mix.

Near the top of the wall, we poured a cement header.

Melodie and Alan look with joy through the newly constructed window opening.

Work begins on constructing the ceiling.

Some tar is heated in a barrel for placement on the roof.

Melodie and Daniella

Sophia.  Isabel, her grandmother, is standing in the home.

Sophia goes for a ride on Ruth’s back.

Some of the many children that live at Isabel’s home.

A little football is enjoyed with the neighborhood children.

Kathleen led a service blessing the home. Isabel holds part of the bread and Ruth listens intently to Kathleen.

Several members of Isabel’s church were present for the blessing of the home.

Ruth stands in front of the new home.

The Suncreek team and Isabel’s family.  (A few team members are hiding in the back.)

Kathleen is reunited with Norma.  Kathleen led a team many years ago that built a home for Norma’s family.

Jose Luis leads worship at church on Tuesday Evening.

Team members gather for a time of sharing at the end of the day.

The team enjoys dinner in Juarez at a café owned and operated by Walmart.

On Thursday, part of the team worked at Matilda and Julio’s home.  They are pictured sitting near their front door

Ross begins to break out the existing cement floor with a sledge hammer. (We don’t have many pictures of this work, because the air quickly filled with thick dust.   The team was exceedingly thankful that Ron and Ally had brought along masks that permitted us to breathe in this setting.)

The team dug a trench to connect the newly constructed bathroom with the neighborhoods new sewage system.

Finishing off the new concrete floor.

The couple had an extremely small store that served their neighbors.

Terri speaking with Matilda.

Ross and some of the neighborhood children.

After an unfortunate incident in which we accidentally dropped 250 cinder blocks on Rob’s hand, his hand swelled to gargantuan size.

Despite experiencing temporary blindness, Ross held this wall up for four days.

Tony shows some of his old skateboard moves.

Rob shows some of his old skateboard moves.  Tony is confident that his moves were much cooler.

After lifting 200 blocks from the pile, Bill got a little disoriented and began to pass this child down the block chain.  (Note: No children were injured.  This boy repeatedly begged Bill to do this.  That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.)

Alan is not showing his old skateboard moves.  Ross just leaned on the boards and Alan was airborne.

Randy felt so strong after a week of hard physical labor that he lifted the van over his head.

Ross and Janet run for cover.

When Randy was asked later, “where did you put the van,” he apologetically pointed to the roof of an adjacent building.

Terri uses her exquisite Spanish to apologize for what Randy did with the van.

Tom appears to be quite limber.  But, he was actually stuck this way for several hours after he cemented his hands to his boots.