a tiny church

Several years ago, my friend Ramon bought land on a hillptop near the beach. He built a large villa for his family. (This is his view).

There on the side deck, we drink wine and Presidente beer, playing dominoes until all hours of the night. We talk about sports, politics, philosphy, and our favorite subject – women. Last year he told me he wanted to build a small church near the villa. I volunteered to help out. (I had my own ideas of construction in mind).

We built the tiny church during my February/March vacation earlier this year. I laiud blocks, plastered, and mixed concrete. The painting and final touches were completed after I returned to the United States.

The church’s inauguation was this past Saturday. Over 200 persons stood outside the church for a mass and celebration (in blistering 100+ degrees heat). It is the only church in the beach community.

The tiny church only has seating room for 18 persons. It is not the size of the church that mattered. We knew the community would never fit there. It is what it represents.

If I don’t accomplish anything in my life, I know I helped create a little positive place of hope in a corner of the world. And honestly, that is enough for me.

I will let you know of my own construction project in a future post.