Building a house involves a series of coordinated efforts by visiting teams, families and community members, and Shelter staff. Below is a brief overview of the process:

• Preparation and Arrival: Before the building process begins, the homeowner and community members clear and level the building site. Construction is carried out by the recipient family and community members, a build team, Shelter interpreter, and Shelter provided construction staff.

• Foundation Work: The initial phase includes digging holes to the correct depth under the guidance of Shelter team members. Laser levels are used to ensure precision. Team members assist in digging and moving dirt off-site.

• Framework Construction: Wall frames are laid out, and laminate sheets are screwed onto the framework. Sheet metal corners are added around windows under the direction of Shelter staff.

• Walls and Trusses Installation: Walls are positioned and trusses lifted into place. Shelter builders secure and measure for squareness before large laminate sheeting is attached to exterior walls.

• Roofing: Cross beams are installed atop trusses, followed by lifting and securing laminate sheets for the roof. Passing the beams and laminate sheets is a team effort, but roofing is primarily handled by the Shelter construction workers.

• Interior Work: While roofing progresses, inside walls are constructed, doors and windows installed, and sheet metal corners added to ensure safety and durability.

• Additional Tasks: Team members may engage in various tasks, including cutting gable pieces, pre-drilling holes in angle brackets on trusses, and installing stitching around the perimeter, with opportunities for involvement from the homeowner and community members.

• Final Touches: As roofing and interior work near completion, front porch posts may be installed, and a gathering with the family occurs to foster connection and understanding.

This collaborative approach ensures that the construction process is not only efficient but also fosters meaningful relationships within the community. The result is a home built with care and consideration, reflecting the values of teamwork and compassion.

When the build team arrives on site, leadership and support are well-organized to ensure a smooth and purposeful construction process. Here's how it typically unfolds:

1. Shelter Site Leadership: The Shelter interpreter, in coordination with Shelter builders, assumes responsibility for coordinating activities on site. Staff and builders provide all guidance and expertise necessary to complete construction safely and efficiently including measurements, delegating tasks, and decision-making related to the house build. All questions or decisions regarding the build should be directed to the Shelter team.

2. Build Team Lead: A build team leader (selected in advance by the team leader), in collaboration with the Shelter interpreter, guides the worksite in prayer, facilitates discussions with the family for mutual encouragement, ensures team members remain on site, oversees tool accountability, and reports any concerns that arise during the build to team leaders at the end of the day.

3. Community Engagement: While the Shelter team provides technical guidance, there's an emphasis on humility and collaboration between team members and the community. Opportunities will arise for team members to invite community members to work alongside them, providing an opportunity for acquiring a new skill (such as using a drill). The overarching principle is to work humbly alongside the community and build trusting relationships with a focus on involving the homeowner and community members in the construction process, fostering a sense of ownership and empowerment.

4. Tasks and Assistance: Throughout the build process, team members are encouraged to assist in various tasks, including digging holes, laying out wall frames, carrying and placing walls and trusses, constructing interior walls, and adding finishing touches such as door and window hardware. Wherever possible team members should endeavor to work shoulder to shoulder with Salvadorans to complete tasks.

In summary, the build team operates under the leadership of the Shelter staff, with support from the build team leader. Collaboration, humility, and community engagement are central to the construction efforts, ensuring a meaningful and impactful experience for all involved.

While Shelter provides interpreters for every build team, we understand that there are times when team members may need to communicate directly with Salvadorans without immediate interpreter assistance. The language barrier can initially seem daunting, but it's entirely possible to overcome it and build meaningful connections while working together, even without an interpreter present.

A warm smile and a welcoming hand gesture can convey invitation without words. To collaborate effectively, you can start by waving someone over and then demonstrate what you'd like them to do. After that, pass them the tool and let them give it a try. Sharing smiles and laughter as you both attempt to complete a task will help alleviate any pressure and increase comfort levels for everyone involved.

It's okay if you or the Salvadoran partner make mistakes while learning a new skill. Learning is a process, and it's completely normal for it to take some time to master. By allowing them to see your own learning journey, you give them the encouragement to learn alongside you. Be patient, exchange roles, help each other pick up and hold onto lost screws (for example), and most importantly, enjoy the experience together.

Team members do not need to bring their own tools while on a Shelter short-term mission trip. All tools are provided by Shelter. However, team members are responsible for bringing their own worksite-appropriate footwear and work gloves. Additionally, they may want to consider bringing a small tool belt to keep small items handy.

Generally, teams aim to build two houses per day per build team. Assuming teams arrive in the community at 9:00 am, and the building progresses smoothly, the final details can typically be expected to be close to completion by 11:30 am. This allows for ample time for a family connection before breaking for lunch and moving to the second build location for the afternoon.

*Please note that build speeds may vary depending on several factors, including the hardness of the ground, difficulty of the dig, presence of rocks or roots on site, tool malfunction, inclement weather, etc. The Shelter interpreter will be able to assess the build speed and inform team leaders of any anticipated delays or recommended changes to the timing.

As team leaders engage with their team during preparation and fundraising, it's essential to prayerfully consider who would serve well as a build team leader and how to effectively group team members on each build team. Several factors should be taken into account, including previous Shelter team experience, spiritual maturity, leadership potential, physical ability, gender, construction experience, introversion/extroversion level, Spanish language skills, and existing relationships within the team (such as parent/child combinations that should be grouped together).

A general recommendation is to strive for balance across build teams wherever possible. This means incorporating a variety of elements into each team, such as experience levels, willingness to pray or share the gospel, comfort with engaging new people, gender diversity, physical labor abilities, potential for building connections, and a mix of personality types.

A helpful process for forming teams is to write down team member names on slips of paper, pray over them, designate build team leaders, and then begin arranging names under each leader. Continuously adjust this arrangement while considering each individual's dynamic within the group. It's beneficial to discuss this process with team leaders or build team leaders where appropriate.

Team leaders may also want to coordinate this task with determining room assignments. If fostering community within the team is a goal of the trip, consider having team members room with individuals outside of their build teams or family members. This can help strengthen bonds and facilitate cross-team interactions.

Team leaders should appoint a build team leader for each build team. The build team leader will collaborate with the Shelter interpreter to lead the worksite in prayer, facilitate discussions with the family to offer mutual encouragement, ensure team members stay on site, manage tool accountability, and report any concerns to team leaders at the end of the day.

If building isn't your forte, don't worry! There are plenty of other meaningful ways to contribute during our Shelter mission trips. While some team members will be involved in the construction process, there are various tasks available for those who prefer different roles.

Engaging with the community is key to our mission, and there are simple yet impactful ways to do so right on-site. One idea is to organize interactive games or activities for both children and adults. You could bring along simple games like soccer balls, jump ropes, or board games that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Encourage team members to join in, fostering a sense of camaraderie and fun.

Another suggestion is to engage in conversation where team members and community members can share about their respective lives and cultures. This could involve sharing photos or stories while helping with cooking or other tasks on-site, or even teaching each other basic phrases in their native languages. This not only promotes cultural understanding but also creates opportunities for meaningful connections and mutual learning.

Ultimately, our mission is about more than just construction—it's about building loving, trusting relationships within the community that point people to the love of God. So whether you're engaging in cultural exchange, playing with children, or cooking a meal with community members, your contribution is invaluable in creating a positive impact and fostering connections that last long after the trip is over.

The Shelter team will adjust the day's schedule if necessary to ensure maximum completion by the end of the day. If a build proves to be particularly challenging, accommodations will be made to ensure its completion with or without the team's continued participation. This may involve completing as many build steps as possible before proceeding to family connection time, while tasks such as digging, rock removal, or tool repairs are undertaken (the most common causes of construction delays).

The homeowners are responsible for providing the labor to complete the concrete floors using the materials provided by Shelter and under their expert guidance.

Working in mud is a possibility while on a Shelter jobsite, however the odds of this increase within the months of May to October. Bringing appropriate footwear (including a second pair during the rainy season) can significantly enhance your comfort. While digging and working in mud may be uncomfortable, it underscores the importance of concrete flooring for the health and future of families. If you find yourself in this situation, take the opportunity during family connect time to inquire about what the addition of a concrete floor means to them!

If, for any reason, you find yourself without an interpreter or builder, there's no need to fret! All Shelter staff have experience in constructing houses independently and can offer guidance as needed. Build team leaders or team leaders should approach Shelter staff onsite to seek assistance in addressing any questions that may arise. It's also a wise idea for team members to consider downloading Spanish language files for offline use using Google Translate. This ensures availability even without a working phone connection, which can be handy if the interpreter is occupied or gestures aren't sufficient for the situation.