Buenas Dias amigos y familia,
It has been almost a week since we have had access to a computer. It has been very difficult for me to not have any contact with family and friends but it makes me appreciate you all the more!
Our precious team member Mel returned to the states last Sunday. She was such a blessing to all of us and the kids are still asking for her. In her place we received three more team members, Larry, Karen and Justin. They all jumped in right where Mel left off.
L
arry started building early Monday morning with Ted. they are building an official outside bathroom for a family of 18 most of who currently use an outhouse. It is a small bathroom with a shower, sink and toilet but it is an amazing gift to the family. Both guys sweated so much and were so dirty, we have to throw their clothes away!While they are building, the rest of the team works at the school teaching five classes a day. One of the ministry objectives was to make a connection with the school faculty and children to establish long term relationships with community leaders. The missionaries we are working with are brand new to this village but have committed to years of service. They firmly believe that you estabish relationships first and gain trust. By being in the school everyday, everyone in the
village knows us and wants to hear what we have to say. Originally, the director was only allowing us to come for 40 minutes each day but after the first day, he gave us five classes. For those of us who are not used to teaching five consecutive classes, this has been exhausting. However, the response to the values we have been teaching has been overwhelming and every day the kids come back and tell us how they put the value into practice. Today the director has invited all of the parents of the children to come in and he has asked us to do a teaching for the parents. After we leave, the missionaries will continue and use any other teams that come in, to do the same.
We have also developed relationships with all of our neighbors and their kids. Last night the kids came to our home and Rolando was able to lead three of them to Christ!!! Funny thing, Karen was led of the Lord to bring Spanish bibles so the kids received a copy right then! One of the girls is an obvious victim of sexual abuse. She has been closed up for the whole two weeks and never smiles. She is always hanging around our porch and never wants to go home. When she received the Lord, she beamed and by the end of the night she was giggling at Rolando and laughing so loud she was crying. That must have been very cleansing for her soul. Sexual and physical abuse is rampart here and it is in every family. Both boys and girls are targets and it is accepted but not talked about. Our missionary friends plan to approach this subject when the Lord allows.
It is generations of sin that must be broken.On a happier note, Justin and Rolando have led soccer tournaments for the kids and Justins team won, complete with medals and silly string. Rolando is entertaing kids with balloon making, whiffle ball and water balloons. We have even been able to work with the kids on recycling cardboard so they can sell it and make money for the school. They have already planted a greenhouse behind the school where they grow fruits and vegetables that they use for the lunch meal here at school.
The drinks are always juice from fruits they grow on their trees. They are on their way to using the resources they have which is a good thing because there is only one little corner store in this area.We are thankful that we have a big fan for sleeping now and we have become accustomed to sleeping in concrete rooms with air mattresses. The bugs are manageable but the heat continues on! I can not even imagine taking a hot shower now let alone sleep in airconditioning! Also, this has not been a weight losing mission trip since the food here is the freshest and some of the tastiest I have ever had.
We will be heading by bus into the city tomorrow so we will try to update again on Friday.
You have all been so wonderful to pray for us, support us and help our families back home. We love and appreciate you all!
Karen, Justin, Rolando
Gracie and Ted
Michelle, Larry, Alisha, Jackie and Bekah
