Kansas West Annual Conference UMVIM team in El Salvador

The Kansas West Conference team of eleven was composed of two members from New Haven, Indiana; one from Kansas East Conference; and three from other denominations other than UMC. The team jelled together well from the very first day. The age of our team varied from our translator who is in her early 20s to an active gentleman who is 78.

We were well received by the family that we built the new house for. Each afternoon that we were on the job, they prepared something special for us to eat.

Our team was able to actually complete the project because we worked for eight days on the site. Our first job upon arriving was to finish digging the footings. We were surprised that that job was almost completed. In addition to digging, some team members began building the rebar to be placed in the foundation. Because our sand was not delivered until late that afternoon, we had to wait until the next morning to start mixing the cement. In place of mixing cement, we were able to move the block needed for the walls from the where it had been unloaded to the construction site.

We worked for five days, at which time we had completed laying the blocks for the walls. Our team had brought along an electric circular saw with blades suitable for cutting the cinder blocks. This saved many hours of labor which would have been required if the blocks had to be chipped into shape by hand. Our team contributed that saw and blades to the project for the use of other teams.

After five days of work, we took a day off, visiting some of the attractions in the area.

Upon returning to the work site the next day, we were pleasantly surprised to find out that the local crew had worked the day we were gone and had installed all of the metal rafters. That meant that we were ready to put on the roof.

Since we were going to get done with the basis house ahead of time, our team bought paint for both the exterior and interior of the house. On the final day of our work we painted the exterior and also applied a finishing touch to the concrete floor which had been poured the previous day. We also purchased window guards for the two front windows and assisted with their installation.

We held a dedication service by presenting the family, Gladys and her son, Juan, with the keys to the house and also a Bible that we had purchased. In turn, Gladys had her daughter prepare a letter of appreciation which was shared during the ceremony.

Our team left with gladness in our hearts for the work we had done, but also for the many new friends which we had met.

One of the main reasons that everything worked out well for our team, was because of our hosts. Gelmarie had laid the groundwork and made all the advance arrangements for the team. Whenever our team leader had a question or request, Gelmarie promptly replied with the information. Gelmarie's husband, Danny, also was an important part of making things happen. While not officially on the payroll, he put in many hours of work in helping us.

- Harold Connell, Team Leader