Shelter and Perspective

This past week I got to go out in the field. My job can be dominated by the office at times, and I am thankful that it involves a mix of office work as well as getting out to the projects to see what is going on and to interact with people.
One of the greatest needs here is for shelter. I remember when I first saw pictures of the destruction that the typhoon did here in the Philippines. It was not long after that a tornado went through Illinois. It was crazy to me how the pictures from both places looked quite similar. When you think about it though, it makes complete sense, because both storms involved winds of crazy speeds. There are times where you can almost imagine it when you see huge telephone or light poles of heavy metal layer over like they were made of aluminum foil. At a point, you get used to seeing this, and to seeing people rebuilding. But, just because there is progress, it does not mean there is not need.
With this in mind, this past week was a really exciting time. SP has been buying downed and damaged coconut trees in order to produce lumber. The trees are cut from the field into planks, the planks are hauled to a sawmill, and then they are cut down into boards. The boards, along with nails, plastic, and roofing are then given out in shelter kits to people who's homes have been assessed as being 70% to completely damaged.
If it sounds like a lot of work, it's because it is. It takes a lot of effort to produce lumber to make into these shelter kits, and as you can imagine, there are many people that need them. It's been amazing to see the process happening, but, just like with most things that we work for, seeing completion is also such a fantastic experience. I got to be there this past Thursday when shelter kit distributions began in Santa Fe. People came with whatever transportation they could arrange- pedicabs, trucks, the other day there was even a water buffalo and cart, to pick up materials to rebuild their homes. In order to receive these, as mentioned their homes were assessed, but they also went through a training on how to build their homes back stronger and sturdier. (If a parable about building your house and foundation is going off in your head, then you're on the same track as I am.)
I had a chance to talk to several people receiving shelter kits. As usual, I was amazed to talk to them. Remedios was one lady that just energized me to talk to. She was so upbeat and was teaching me some Waray-Waray while thanking me for the support that SP is giving. She told me that she was praying for us, and I told her that we prayed for them as well.
God gives us incredible moments of perspective changes. Times where, if we're willing, we can see situations, and ourselves in a much different light. I'm so thankful for these moments. It can be incredibly humbling at times, but in such a good way. I feel so blessed when I get this opportunities. Sometimes it's like the most obvious thing, but when it clicks in your mind, you're just amazed and all you can do is praise the Lord and be thankful for it. Getting to be at the beginning of the shelter kit distributions and talking to the different people there, was one of these perspective moments!