Day 3 - Iglesia y lago

We attended services at Cristo Rey (Christ the King) Lutheran Church in Santa Ana. Pastor Carlos welcomed us with a history of the church's involvement with Habitat, which goes back eleven years. Cristo Rey was the first Lutheran church to work with H4H and it was instrumental in enlisting the participation of the El Salvadoran Synod with H4H and Thrivent Builds.
The service had several moments that hit home. Mike read a section of Acts about Paul's trip to Macedonia - one he read on a TBW trip to Macedonia last year. Mike and Kirk helped serve communion, and then participated in blessing an infant who has a brain tumor. Near the end of the service, the "brigade" was asked to come to the front so the children could give us a gift - wooden crosses that they hung on our necks. Although they had no instruments to accompany them, they sang the hymns with vigor, making a joyful noise (actually, it was us making the noise - the congregation sang well).
Then we went to Lago de Coatepeque, a crater lake about a half-hour southwest of Santa Ana. A great lunch on at pier with two families who will be living in houses that we're building. That was followed by a boat ride across the lake to a black sand beach. Most of the team headed for the water, a few just laid out in the sun (or shade) - but Eric B enjoyed a brief futbol scrimmage with some of the kids. Then back to the dock and to the hotel.
Eric B also lead a reflection on faith that generated a great deal of instrospection and deep conversation.
Monday is a full work day, so the day was a great recover and reset to prepare for the week ahead.