At the end of February 2002, twelve persons--ranging in age from 14 to 70--came from the First Baptist Church of Bethlehem, PA to the city of La Paz, Mexico.Under the direction of ABC Missionaries David and Joyce Reed, they were asked to assist "Emmanuel" Baptist Church with their parsonage.The concrete walls were up, but now the walls needed capped, and then prepped for the pouring of a concrete roof.In addition to this, the group was also painting the Sunday school rooms of the church and coordinating an evening VBS program for the children.The group was at the work site by 9am, had an hour break for lunch, and then worked until 7pm each evening.But they never complained!They were honestly one of the most cheerful groups of people we'd ever worked with. (We found this even more amazing when we discovered later that many of them hadn't even known each other before this trip, as their church has 500 members and two services.)People from "Emmanuel" came and laboreddaily besides these 12 to get the work done.As the week progressed, however, it became apparent that the roof would not get poured until Friday.It would be an arduous process of forming a human chain of people to haul buckets of cement up to the roof.A dilemma arose, as Friday was the groups' one and only day off to relax and sightsee in La Paz before their early departure Saturday morning.We urged them to take their day off.They had worked hard and deserved a break.People from the church could finish the roof.But after prayer and discussion, the group said, "No, we came here to work, not go to the beach.We want to be here Friday morning to help pour the cement."We were so overcome by their attitude of servant hood.Again, no one complained or grumbled about giving up their only free day.Instead, they stood side by side with their Mexican brothers and sisters in Christ and hauled cement.For us, on this day, this group of people excelled in the grace of giving.

For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability.Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.(2 Corinthians 8:3-4)