Dwellings Blog

Monday, Jan 18, 2010 3:57 PM

Dwellings/Moradas House Build in Cofradia February 13-20, 2010

By Tom Hackett

(9 comments)

Alternative Missions and Creekside Church are teaming up for a Dwellings or "Moradas" (Spanish) house build for a family in Cofradia, Nayarit Mexico.  We will be building the home for Lauro & Luci and their family.

Please be praying for safety, all the materials we will need, and a real impact on everyone involved.

  • Lauro & Luci and their family. Lauro primarily works as a construction laborer although he is also quite capable in agriculture and live stock. Luci works as a domestic helper for a number of people. In addition, both Lauro and Luci help in the local church during youth events and in general church activities. The family is originally from Veracruz, southeast of Mexico City. They moved here in 2005 in hopes of finding better work. Currently, this family lives in a leaky-roofed house that they are borrowing. For a general laborer it is almost impossible to own a home apart from a government program, a family member in the U.S. sending money, or the generosity of someone. A general laborer earns about $100usd a week. At this pay, property is difficult enough to acquire, let alone build a house on. Having their own home would provide a sense of security and belonging that they do not enjoy at this point. Their lives are going very well apart from the fact that they have no place to call their own. They are content to trust God, but they need a miracle.
  • Lauro's land.
  • We plan to use a dry stack method of block construction that Dave Elias and I have been talking about trying. Here is the block that Dave has come up with.
  • Luis Vazquez is taking the lead for the build. (photo and comment from the blog of Steve Silberman)
  • This morning the floor is being poured for the house that will be built through a ministry of Alternative Missions called Dwellings for Lauro and Lucy. They have been part of our congregation for various years now and they do not have a home. This is an awesome opportunity to bless someone that we would all agree is very deserving. This family NEVER seeks anything for their own gain; these are the kind of people that you really enjoy helping. (photo and comment from the blog of Steve Silberman)
  • Don José, Pastor Horacio's dad, came out to help as well. How many 89 year olds do you know can do this? Yes, that's right, he's 89! (photo and comment from the blog of Steve Silberman)
  • (photo from the blog of Steve Silberman)
  • After arriving in Cofradia we went out for some great tacos. Day 1 was all about travel and getting settled in Cofradia.
  • Sleeping arrangements are in a "Palapa" hut with palm roof, open sides and plenty of pueblo ambiance. Roosters, pigs, donkeys, and dogs compete for attention all night with a 4:30 wake up call by local vendors. Ear plugs are a must. Pueblo life is awesome.
  • Day 1 mid morning. We started by "dry stacking" the blocks but found that the quality of the block was not consistent and started using some mortar. We have more work to do on the block design and quality control.
  • Completion of day 1. All interior and exterior walls are up to this height with the front windows and the interior door in place.
  • Day 2 preparing for the pour of the 2 meter bond beam.
  • Preparing the bond beam @ 2 meters.
  • Preparing for a shed roof.
  • Roof beams
  • Roof sheeting
  • Attaching roof
  • Stucco exterior
  • Stucco exterior
  • Installing electrical service
  • Inside showing "hurricane clips"
  • Finished home in 4 1/2 days.
  • Dedication
  • Folks checking out the new home.

9 comments so far:

By Tina Miller

(Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 3:22 AM)

Praying for this build Tom. What a blessing to see the family pictures.

By Jason

(Thursday, Jan 21, 2010 6:01 AM)

Thanks Dwellings for facilitating this opportunity! I am part of the Creekside Crew. I am totally looking forward to this experience and getting to know Lauro and Luci's family!

By Amber

(Thursday, Jan 21, 2010 8:30 PM)

Tom!! I can't wait to see their new house!! I'll be down there in March/April, and I'm so stoked that they will finally have their own home!!!

By steve

(Friday, Feb 5, 2010 6:31 PM)

Tom, I've just posted an update of the pouring of the floor here: http://thesilbermans.blogspot.com/2010/02/house-build-for-lauro-and-lucy.html

By Tom H

(Friday, Feb 5, 2010 6:34 PM)

Thanks Steve...awesome!

By Royce Bixby

(Saturday, Feb 6, 2010 6:50 AM)

I can't wait to come down next week and build a house! It is exciting to know that God brought everything together and is in this!

By Scott Montagne

(Saturday, Feb 13, 2010 3:50 AM)

Tom, what a great ministry. Looking forward to you meeting Dennis J and getting him connected with Dwellings. He's an influencer...

By Mary Cowin

(Saturday, Feb 13, 2010 10:24 PM)

I will be praying for all of you! God bless you and the team!

By Jennet P.

(Thursday, Mar 4, 2010 3:45 AM)

I don't think I met Lauro and Luci when I was in Cofradia, but I know how exciting it is to be part of a build. If it is God's will I hope to go back to Cofradia in February 2011 to continue work on the church. The last time I went God worked out all the details, so I am leaving it in HIS hands.

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