We were all tired on Sunday morning (going to bed after 1am), but everyone was happy to get up and enjoy the beautiful sunshine and have breakfast. Some of the team spread out for quiet time around the team house. It was a nice morning.
Since it was a small team (11 people) we all went to church together at Monte Horeb. (this is the community and VOH church/Feeding Center that HBC has committed to support and will be working at this week). It was a small, but sweet gathering.
We went back to the team house for lunch, orientation, prep work, rest and then went to church service at Tomas Borgé neighborhood. Lynette got to share her testimony with the kid’s class and Charmain played with the kids (her specialty). Pastor David gave the message.
I fell in love with Charmain and Lynette immediately. They are the 2 ladies on the construction team of 9 men. We are going to do VBS in the mornings and then participate in other adventures throughout the week while the guys are working hard on building the church walls, stage and floor.
Each day of the week was pretty similar to the next with just a few exceptions. The guys headed to the worksite early each morning. They were amazed at how much work there is to do here because it is all by hand. No machines or pre-fabbed materials. They learned a lot! Us girls held VBS each morning, even though school is in and we didn’t have a lot of kids. We altered our plans a little bit, but had great fun with the kids who could come.
Monday afternoon, the ladies joined me and the Women’s Bible Study Leaders Training class. It was a great time of sharing. In the evening, I taught the English Bible Study class while the team went to get ice cream. When they returned to the team house, they joined the class for some share time. It was a big hit with everyone!
On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights we held special services called a Campaign (like revival in the states). The VOH Praise band played and it was great! We set up electric wires in the trees across the street in front of the church. Unfortunately, they had to trim some of our VBS shade branches, but it was great to have the light for the service. Chairs were set up in the street. We carried a bunch of chairs back and forth between the team house and church each night. The messages by Pastor David were great. So were the music and testimonies. There was a salvation, rededication, baby dedication, leader blessing and lots of prayer. I always enjoy worshipping here in Nica, especially at special services like these. The team loved it, too!
Charmain and Lynette and I did some extra stuff during the week. One morning, we rode with Jorge to deliver produce to the San Jacinto and La Quimera Feeding Centers. They got to visit all 4 VOH churches, for a few minutes anyway.
On Thursday, the ladies joined me in taking handmade valentines, candy and salvation bracelets to the people living at the dump. It was a short visit once we got there and they needed to get back to ‘scratching in the trash’, but I got to share Jesus with 4 people. Now Heaven will be welcoming Manuel, Maria, Sasón Javier and Vicenta one day!!! When we got back, I asked Mike if we can plan another ministry time at the dump with the March team. He gave his blessing and I’m excited!
Erika painted all the ladies’ toes, which she loves to do. Charmain had never had a pedicure before. We all felt pampered and Erika was happy to have more toes to practice on! She is getting quite good!
On Tuesday night, Freddy, one of the EBSG students got the opportunity to translate for Pastor David at the Campaign. He did very well. He loves to translate and he loves ministry. German said that Freddy will be one of our regular translators from now on. I’m thrilled!
Each afternoon and evening I spent hours downloading pics and videos of the ministry activities onto facebook. It kept me really busy but I love sharing what God is doing!!
One afternoon the ladies got to go through a little bit of the central market as we searched for 150 bowls for the kids at the Monte Horeb Feeding Center. The team was donating them. It took stops at a couple of stores and lots of waiting time, but we got the job done. The kids were really blessed with the bowls! The things we take for granted in the states are treasures here. It is such a blessing to be able to give to the people here.
The team had brought some handmade pillowcase dresses and some tshirts to give away. We had fun sharing these with some of the kids.
Friday was Fun Day. It’s also one of the EBSG classes. Since the Monday class spent time with the team instead of doing a lesson, I wanted the Friday class to get to do the same. So Estefanie called all the students to meet us downtown. The students got to help the North Americans by translating for them and guiding them through sightseeing and souvenir shopping. There were more students than team members so every NA got to have their own personal guide/translator! Michael is a former English student that I worked with at Pacheco’s English academy. He came for the first time for EBSG and met up with us downtown. He and I got to hang out together and catch up and it was great. We all had lunch at Tip Top, said goodbye to the students and then headed back to the team house because the team wanted to work more on the church. They poured the stage floor and part of the church floor. Mayela, Jaasiel and Estefanie helped. I had to loan people socks and shoes. It was funny. They worked hard, though.
Friday evening was spent at the beach and eating dinner at Suyapa restaurant at sunset. It was yummy and fun. Then the team prepared to leave the next day.
Saturday morning, everyone had breakfast and finished packing. They left for the airport about 9am. Buster waved goodbye from my arms. He is going to miss the team. He’s turned into a real people-dog.
I loved the time I got to spend with the team. It’s so wonderful to get to make new friends and work together for the Kingdom. Even if we don’t see each other this side of Heaven, we know that we will be together again one day.
What a blessed week! Oh, and the team brought me some wonderful personal wish list items! Nuts, chocolate, crossword puzzle books, canned salmon, black olives… I am all set up to be pampered for awhile!!!
God is so good! The church at Monte Horeb is an oasis from the heat (and weather during rainy season) and a beacon for the community to come and rest in the shelter of God’s love and hear His Word. HBC of New Iberia LA is a wonderful partner for VOH, Pator Eddy and the people of Monte Horeb community.
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