Looking Back - How To Tell When The Build Is Done

content from Sarah (and Bryan)

Now that I am back home and slowly adjusting to the time change and cold temperatures, I find myself looking back through pictures and daydreaming of Thailand and the build. Coming into this I didn’t really know what to expect or if I could even do it. Now that I look back, I am so glad I did… and when asked, “Would you do it again”, my response has been “Absolutely”.

It’s hard to articulate the experience I had and the friends I’ve made, but I am so grateful for both. A group of people, who didn’t know each other before, came together with people from another land and together we built a home. It was amazing to me how we grew. On day one there was a little bit of uncertainty as we all jumped in full throttle. But we grew as a team. Something I thought was so cool was how in the beginning there was little interaction/communication with the skilled workers but by the end we were joking and laughing and seemed to just understand each other despite speaking a different language.

One fond memory I have as I look back is of the day we finished the house. There was such a drive to get the outside perimeter of the house done, the “deck”. It was hot (like it was everyday) but everyone was pushing to finish. When the last bucket of concrete was poured the head mason, “Det” (maybe spelled incorrectly) started double high fiving everyone and cheering. It was really amazing… The funny part was, I had set my work gloves down in a pile of sand once we finished. I looked over and one of the local dogs that we had nicknamed “Bryan” from the Family Guy, had picked up one of my gloves and was happily running away with it. How appropriate!

You know the build is done when the dog leaves with your gloves!

Looking Back - A Special Moment

content from Erin

It's 5:00 am and I am laying in bed thinking back to a special moment build site one had.

We had just finished the foundation walls and asked our home owner if we could put a Canadian coin in the foundation for good luck. Rob supplied a toonie and our team gathered with the home owner. We took a moment to think of all of the people who supported us on this journey and made being here possible. We took a moment and looked around at our build site location with the rice fields beside us and grove of trees and acknowledged how lucky we were to be here and to be working with each other and we wished for health and happiness for the home owners. It was an emotional moment and I will admit I shed a few tears.

After the home owner placed our toonie in the foundation he told us how he also placed a silver and gold coin in the adjoining post for good luck. The post is also marked with a gold symbol and tied with two ropes. All to bring good luck to the home.

I will remember this moment for years to come.

Looking Back - Back Home

content from Janice 

Snow was gently falling when I landed at Halifax airport yesterday. As I walked out of the airport it actually was very refreshing to feel the cold air. I looked around and I could see Christmas decorations and lights and I was shocked to realize we were just a month away from Christmas celebrations.

I had the day off today to sleep and relax. But at 7am It wasn't the birds and Monks chant that I was waking up to, but the sound of traffic and paving starting on my street. I laid there wondering what sounds everyone else would be waking up to.

All day today I felt a heaviness in my heart and body. No energy to do anything. I did go out for a few groceries and laundry.

I wonder what is this heaviness I'm feeling. I'm sure a little is due to lack of sleep. I woke up every two hours last night trying to figure out where I was and who I was sharing the room with. But there is also an empty feeling as if something or someone is missing. My phone has been ringing all day with family and friends excited to hear about my journey. Most calls I actually ignored since I'm not ready to share yet.

The last two weeks were amazing how 17 strangers came together to form a strong friendship. United together to help two families build a home that will be in their families for many generations. I thank each and everyone of you for being part of this journey with me. We all know this isn't our last build. When and where will our paths cross again?

I know this feeling will pass as I return to work tomorrow with the excitement of 18 three-year-olds when I tell them I rode an elephant.

Janice and Aommy - Riding an Elephant!