Imagine This

Scene #1: Above our heads, leafy vines full of ripening grapes give us shade. Around our feet, a kitten scurries by. The table holds homemade donuts and tall bottles of cold water. Walls are going up on the family’s new house. Block by block, the floor plan comes to life. Bedroom, bathroom, living room, dining room, kitchen. So much larger than the two rooms the family now has.

Scene #2: Shovels. Concrete. More concrete. The constant sound of the cement mixer. Before, it was just dirt. Now there’s a foundation. And thankfulness.

Scene #3: A swimming pool. Six lovable children from Darius House. Bathing suits. Sunscreen. Oh!...sunscreen! Who knew kids could get this excited about putting on sunscreen? They splashed and played. They laughed and were loved.

Scene #4: A van. Sixteen Americans. One determined, quirky, beloved Romanian driver. Bumpy roads. A hike up the mountain after a day of hard work in the hot sun? Yes. At the top was a 14^th century fortress: Castle Siria. What a view.

Scene #5: A family. A house under construction. A table set for us. Bottomless bowls and plates of delicious chicken, mashed potatoes, cabbage, cake.  A story of need. Loss of a job. A daughter’s blindness. Heart surgery. Compassion that looks like walls and a roof. Heartfelt thanks for mercy extended.

Scene #6: Tired bodies. Sleepy eyes. Full hearts.

God is so good.