![\"\"](\"http:\/\/abisoman.com\/broadcaster\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/IMG_2623-Copy.jpg\" "\\"IMG_2623")
<\/a>By lunch Bryan was thoroughly knackered<\/p><\/div>\n
The sound of the rain on the roof of our 15-passenger van was in competition with Renzo\u2019s music as we made our way to the work site. Wyclef Jean\u2019s \u201cGone \u2018til November\u201d was today\u2019s choice, an appropriate welcome to the new month. After the physicality of yesterday\u2019s work, I wouldn\u2019t have held a grudge if the group was a bit sluggish this morning. But no worries there, it turned out.<\/p>\n
Rather than fatigue, it was the southwest monsoon which turned out to be today\u2019s foe. Those of us working outside battled the rain all morning and, in my group\u2019s case, it stopped us cold for awhile. Not much use in pouring concrete in the rain. We did, however, have the character-building opportunity to offload and then move approximately one thousand bricks.<\/p>\n
But others–particularly Heinrich, Joe, Bradley, Bryan, Himesh and Clarissa\u2014had a grand and filthy time digging a hole into the foundation of a home as they prepare to build a second floor. Our lunch hour was filled with their epic tales of battling the rocks buried in the foundation.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s an observation from Heinrich: The kids are already starting to feel a sense of ownership and commitment towards their work site. I give Habitat For Humanity a lot of credit on this one. Our projects are all both obviously beneficial and realistic for the amount of time that we\u2019re here. And we\u2019re all really getting into them as a result.<\/p>\n
This evening before a dinner of fried rice, noodles and chicken we held a team meeting. A reflection. Everyone in the group was given the opportunity to share successes and frustrations. The best responses, though, came when Heinrich asked each of us to tell the group something we heard or saw of someone else that surprised us. The answers were just awesome: \u201cI never knew he could be such a leader\u201d, \u201cShe\u2019s so supportive and caring\u201d, \u201cHe made us laugh and kept us working happily\u201d were just a few.<\/p>\n
Tomorrow is All Soul\u2019s Day for this heavily Catholic area, which means no work. So we\u2019ll take this opportunity to explore the island a bit\u2026elephants, temples, and tea leaves!<\/p>\n