Had to walk barefoot on the beach this morning since I have a blister on my foot from walking in tennis shoes. I hope it heals quickly so I can get back to my good long walks in the morning before the team gets here. I won't have time to walk the whole 4.5 miles for the next 3 weeks, but I hope to get in a couple of miles each morning while they are eating breakfast.
I somewhat enjoyed the walk on the beach since I could be out in the fresh air and sunshine. I didn't enjoy that the sand is soft and it's very difficult to walk. Also, the beach is eroding so much that it's not possible to walk along the surf on flat beach like before. How sad.
I was looking out at the ocean and thinking of things this morning. There were clouds way in the distance (to the west) and I thought about how they could effect our weather today. The sea looked calm along the horizon and then as it came closer to the shore the waves and surf became very powerful. Fishing boats were out past the breaking waves doing their thing. A seagull was flying along the breaking waves to see if there was any fish snacks churching in the waves. Then there were the waves curling and crashing and coming on shore all foamy and unpredictable. Taking away bits of shoreline and changing the landscape at will. Each part of the ocean has it's own characteristics, but it's all part of the same ocean.
It reminds me of our lives. So many different parts that are all connected to each other. Some parts are calm, some tranquil, some strong, some building strength, some forceful, some helpful and giving, some dangerous and taking away. Always changing.
I need to remember all moments of my life and cherish the things that bring me joy and peace and comfort. Place them in my mind's eye and in my heart to remember for always. I also need to remember how forceful life can be and how helpless I can feel on my own.
And to remember that God is more powerful than anything in my life and that He is with me always. Through tranquil waters or crashing waves. He's there.
Just a few thoughts from my walk this morning. Had to jot them down or I would forget. Thank You Lord for giving me emotions and thoughts. And thank You for Your Love.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Wednesday, July 6, 2011 Nicaragua
Wednesday night and the week is half over already! The next team comes in on Saturday. (a few guys come in on Friday night) Just another day and a half of resting and prepping for the next 3 weeks of teams back to back.
I’ve been walking 4.5 miles each morning that we don’t have a team and it’s not raining. I’ve got a blister inside a blister on my left heel. I didn’t even notice it except that for 2 days it kind of felt like I might have had a bit of sand rubbing my heel. I’m not sure I should walk in the morning if it’s still big, but I hate to miss a day unless I have to. We’ll see what tomorrow brings.
Today, I walked and then worked on moving the giveaway clothing upstairs so that I can keep it sorted and add to it this next week. Then I worked on burning cds for Mary and Haley. The cds will also be used to download onto Manuel’s iPod. I have lots of Spanish praise music on my computer and would like to get even more. It’s all I listen to. I love it and I hope by listening to it exclusively, it will help me learn more Spanish.
After a quick lunch of leftovers, I took a shower and rested for a couple of hours on my bed. It was heavenly! I dozed off for about a half hour, but the rest of the time I read my Kindle. I love that thing! So many books at my fingertips!
We all left the house about 3pm and met up with German and some Pastors/laypersons from Country Club church, who are trying to minister to a very rural area and start a new church. We were way out in the boonies. It was funny that every so often we would stop and pick up some more people. We filled the van. It was nice to hear their passion to reach this community. We are praying and discussing how VOH could be involved with them.
We had also gone by the proposed land for the new church plant near the sewer ponds. That is going to be a very awesome project. We are very attached to the people there. I’m excited about the future that God has planned for that area and the people.
We stopped and looked at a possible location for the VOH ministry to move to. It would be perfect for us and all the details seem to be God ordained. I’m so excited! We’ll see how things work out. More on that in the future!
We ran by Eskimo for an ice cream supper. I was just going to get a plain cone, but I saw that the ‘mini banana’ treat has a new type of plastic bowl. I had to get one so I could bring the bowl home! We made a bathroom stop and then went to service at Country Club church. Mike preached and it was very good. The Pastor there has a very good voice and I loved it when he led the closing medley of songs. German and his family joined us for church and German translated for Mike. I love to hear Mike preach and Mary especially loves it!
We got home and had a snack of peanut butter sandwiches. Then off to bed to blog, catch up on emails and facebook on my phone and get ready for bed. I may have to walk on the beach in the morning (barefoot) if I can’t wear my tennies. We’ll see. Anyway, I’m going to have a great sleep!
God is blessing the ministry so much. It’s an exciting time to be here working with VOH. I am so blessed.
I’ve been walking 4.5 miles each morning that we don’t have a team and it’s not raining. I’ve got a blister inside a blister on my left heel. I didn’t even notice it except that for 2 days it kind of felt like I might have had a bit of sand rubbing my heel. I’m not sure I should walk in the morning if it’s still big, but I hate to miss a day unless I have to. We’ll see what tomorrow brings.
Today, I walked and then worked on moving the giveaway clothing upstairs so that I can keep it sorted and add to it this next week. Then I worked on burning cds for Mary and Haley. The cds will also be used to download onto Manuel’s iPod. I have lots of Spanish praise music on my computer and would like to get even more. It’s all I listen to. I love it and I hope by listening to it exclusively, it will help me learn more Spanish.
After a quick lunch of leftovers, I took a shower and rested for a couple of hours on my bed. It was heavenly! I dozed off for about a half hour, but the rest of the time I read my Kindle. I love that thing! So many books at my fingertips!
We all left the house about 3pm and met up with German and some Pastors/laypersons from Country Club church, who are trying to minister to a very rural area and start a new church. We were way out in the boonies. It was funny that every so often we would stop and pick up some more people. We filled the van. It was nice to hear their passion to reach this community. We are praying and discussing how VOH could be involved with them.
We had also gone by the proposed land for the new church plant near the sewer ponds. That is going to be a very awesome project. We are very attached to the people there. I’m excited about the future that God has planned for that area and the people.
We stopped and looked at a possible location for the VOH ministry to move to. It would be perfect for us and all the details seem to be God ordained. I’m so excited! We’ll see how things work out. More on that in the future!
We ran by Eskimo for an ice cream supper. I was just going to get a plain cone, but I saw that the ‘mini banana’ treat has a new type of plastic bowl. I had to get one so I could bring the bowl home! We made a bathroom stop and then went to service at Country Club church. Mike preached and it was very good. The Pastor there has a very good voice and I loved it when he led the closing medley of songs. German and his family joined us for church and German translated for Mike. I love to hear Mike preach and Mary especially loves it!
We got home and had a snack of peanut butter sandwiches. Then off to bed to blog, catch up on emails and facebook on my phone and get ready for bed. I may have to walk on the beach in the morning (barefoot) if I can’t wear my tennies. We’ll see. Anyway, I’m going to have a great sleep!
God is blessing the ministry so much. It’s an exciting time to be here working with VOH. I am so blessed.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Monday, July 4, 2011 Nicaragua
A lovely evening. Sitting on my bed with the laptop and catching up on facebook and other things. Ready for a good night's sleep.
Yesterday, we ended up going to church in the evening to a different one than planned. It was nice. Mike preached a good message. It was nice to be in a small church. The people were precious.
Yesterday morning, I worked on my Bible Study for hours. I was a little behind. I'm still working diligently on it. It's hard to keep up when we have a team here. I also went on a 4.5 mile walk. I'm so thankful to be back in my routine, at least until the next team comes!
This morning, I went on my walk and a dog actually ran into me. He was trying to avoid a vehicle coming down the road and ran smack dab into my legs. I almost fell over. At least he fared better than the dog that ran into our van on Saturday morning. Splat! Actually, the van didn't fare all that well either, considering some things got broken underneath from the impact.
I had to dodge a few cows on the sidewalk again. They have such good manners. I took a few pics with my phone as I was walking my usual route. It's so very interesting and I am starting to take it for granted. Sometimes I have to remind myself that I'm in Nicaragua most of the time. So blessed.
I stayed back at the house today while everyone went into town for some shopping and groceries. Saturnino, our guard, was in town with his wife at the clinic most of the day. I stayed home to guard the house and to chill. I have a lovely time of Bible reading and then working on a crossword book. I needed the self-imposed 'time out'. Later, the gang got back home and we went for dinner at Suyapa restaurant. I love the grilled fish and veggies! Yum!
Tomorrow, I plan to walk in the morning again. (Haley is planning on walking with me, but she doesn't always get up) Then Haley and I are going to catch the bus into town for some running around and shopping. It will be our only chance to do so, and she's looking forward to the bus experience. It should be fun! Hope it doesn't rain!
Haley will be moving into another room tomorrow. She'll be close to Mary (who is a little scared here at the house at night) and we will all have our own rooms for a few nights. Then the team comes and Haley will bunk with the girls on the team, since it's her home church. I'll enjoy my room to myself for the first time. This will last about 10 days and then I'll share my room with Beth when she gets here. I'm looking forward to getting more settled in the room. Of course, after 10 days, I'll be packing my stuff up so that part of a large team can use the room. (We'll be staying with Mike and Sherry down the road.) I will enjoy the personal space for as long as I can, though.
I'm tired and ready for bed. Lots of things go through my mind each day to add to my blog, but when I sit down to write, I can't remember them all. oh well, maybe someday they will come back to me.
I'm so thankful to be here and serving with VOH. God is blessing me sooo much!
Yesterday, we ended up going to church in the evening to a different one than planned. It was nice. Mike preached a good message. It was nice to be in a small church. The people were precious.
Yesterday morning, I worked on my Bible Study for hours. I was a little behind. I'm still working diligently on it. It's hard to keep up when we have a team here. I also went on a 4.5 mile walk. I'm so thankful to be back in my routine, at least until the next team comes!
This morning, I went on my walk and a dog actually ran into me. He was trying to avoid a vehicle coming down the road and ran smack dab into my legs. I almost fell over. At least he fared better than the dog that ran into our van on Saturday morning. Splat! Actually, the van didn't fare all that well either, considering some things got broken underneath from the impact.
I had to dodge a few cows on the sidewalk again. They have such good manners. I took a few pics with my phone as I was walking my usual route. It's so very interesting and I am starting to take it for granted. Sometimes I have to remind myself that I'm in Nicaragua most of the time. So blessed.
I stayed back at the house today while everyone went into town for some shopping and groceries. Saturnino, our guard, was in town with his wife at the clinic most of the day. I stayed home to guard the house and to chill. I have a lovely time of Bible reading and then working on a crossword book. I needed the self-imposed 'time out'. Later, the gang got back home and we went for dinner at Suyapa restaurant. I love the grilled fish and veggies! Yum!
Tomorrow, I plan to walk in the morning again. (Haley is planning on walking with me, but she doesn't always get up) Then Haley and I are going to catch the bus into town for some running around and shopping. It will be our only chance to do so, and she's looking forward to the bus experience. It should be fun! Hope it doesn't rain!
Haley will be moving into another room tomorrow. She'll be close to Mary (who is a little scared here at the house at night) and we will all have our own rooms for a few nights. Then the team comes and Haley will bunk with the girls on the team, since it's her home church. I'll enjoy my room to myself for the first time. This will last about 10 days and then I'll share my room with Beth when she gets here. I'm looking forward to getting more settled in the room. Of course, after 10 days, I'll be packing my stuff up so that part of a large team can use the room. (We'll be staying with Mike and Sherry down the road.) I will enjoy the personal space for as long as I can, though.
I'm tired and ready for bed. Lots of things go through my mind each day to add to my blog, but when I sit down to write, I can't remember them all. oh well, maybe someday they will come back to me.
I'm so thankful to be here and serving with VOH. God is blessing me sooo much!
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Saturday evening and I've been resting on my bed doing paperwork from the team expenses, doing a crossword book, messing with Facebook and just resting. It's been a good end to a great week.
This morning I rode into Managua with the team from Highland Baptist Church (New Iberia LA) so they could get on the plane to return home. We had an awesome week of ministry. While the team was getting their luggage off of the vans, I ran inside the terminal and found something that Ric was needing to purchase to take home. Mission accomplished in record time. The group all got checked in and whisked home to LA.
Mike, Manuelito, German and I returned to Poneloya in Chin-Chin (our little VOH van) after doing some errands. I had fun with Manuel in the second seat. He is always wanting to do pretend stuff and we did everything from Preach, Sing, fly a plane, drive a car, ride in an ambulance, lay in a hospital bed, work at an office, well, you get the picture. He's always a fun time!
The team had a wonderful Fun Day yesterday. We went to the Canopy Tour (zip line) near Masaya. Then we had lunch in Granada at our new favorite restaurant. Then we did a little shopping at Catarina. It rained on us while shopping, but no one seemed to mind too bad. We all got a few items and then headed home. We stopped in Managua at a very nice McDonalds for dinner. (a big hit). It was pouring rain most of the way home. The traffic was really bad going through Managua, but once we hit the open road, we made it fine. We got back to the team house about 9:30pm. Everyone packed and went to bed.
This morning we had breakfast and then took some team pictures and then loaded up in the vans.
It has been such a pleasant week. This was a first time with us team and they accepted our requests for doing things 'our way'. They were mostly seasoned mission trippers, so they understand that the local ministry understands best how to effectively minister to the people in the area. That is a huge help for us when leading the teams.
I was blessed by the sweet spirits of the people on the team. I'm thankful and rejuvenated by having them here this week.
Time to hit the sack for tonight. We are going to the church at Puente Country Club tomorrow. It's a small church that we did a Fiesta and a Feeding at a few weeks ago. It will be fun to worship with them.
Going to bed a very blessed person! Thank You Lord for EVERYTHING!
This morning I rode into Managua with the team from Highland Baptist Church (New Iberia LA) so they could get on the plane to return home. We had an awesome week of ministry. While the team was getting their luggage off of the vans, I ran inside the terminal and found something that Ric was needing to purchase to take home. Mission accomplished in record time. The group all got checked in and whisked home to LA.
Mike, Manuelito, German and I returned to Poneloya in Chin-Chin (our little VOH van) after doing some errands. I had fun with Manuel in the second seat. He is always wanting to do pretend stuff and we did everything from Preach, Sing, fly a plane, drive a car, ride in an ambulance, lay in a hospital bed, work at an office, well, you get the picture. He's always a fun time!
The team had a wonderful Fun Day yesterday. We went to the Canopy Tour (zip line) near Masaya. Then we had lunch in Granada at our new favorite restaurant. Then we did a little shopping at Catarina. It rained on us while shopping, but no one seemed to mind too bad. We all got a few items and then headed home. We stopped in Managua at a very nice McDonalds for dinner. (a big hit). It was pouring rain most of the way home. The traffic was really bad going through Managua, but once we hit the open road, we made it fine. We got back to the team house about 9:30pm. Everyone packed and went to bed.
This morning we had breakfast and then took some team pictures and then loaded up in the vans.
It has been such a pleasant week. This was a first time with us team and they accepted our requests for doing things 'our way'. They were mostly seasoned mission trippers, so they understand that the local ministry understands best how to effectively minister to the people in the area. That is a huge help for us when leading the teams.
I was blessed by the sweet spirits of the people on the team. I'm thankful and rejuvenated by having them here this week.
Time to hit the sack for tonight. We are going to the church at Puente Country Club tomorrow. It's a small church that we did a Fiesta and a Feeding at a few weeks ago. It will be fun to worship with them.
Going to bed a very blessed person! Thank You Lord for EVERYTHING!
Thursday, June 30, 2011 Nicaragua
It’s the last ministry day with the team. We had 2 Fiestas in the morning and then went to the Las Quimeras church to start pouring a concrete floor. The kids saw our vans and started gathering. When school let out a little early this morning, they all came to see us, too. So we got out our Fiesta boxes and pulled together some games and candy to entertain the kids with.
The team has some good people for story and song resources. They came up with stuff to keep about 40 kids happy for a while. We gave out candy as they left. There were some teenage boys who came to see the North American girls. We had the North American teens witness to them on the sidelines.
Some of the guys worked on sifting dirt, mixing sand, dirt and concrete together to pour part of the floor in the church. We filled in an area as big as we could with the amount of cement that we had. It was hard, sweaty and rewarding work. I got to use a shovel for a short time, but mostly I just took pictures.
It is so wonderful to see that little church progressing. Ralph, who preached there last week, left some money to buy 5 chairs to add to the ones in the church. I might try to do the same. I love going out there.
It’s been weird this week as we travel from place to place. The team has done a great job of splitting into two groups for Fiestas. They end up getting on the vans in that way, so that leaves Chin-Chin, our little VOH van empty, except for Mike and Sherry and Manuelito until we pick up the translators. They all end up on a van to themselves. I miss riding with the translators. I miss getting to talk to them more.
The food this month has been so good. Sherry is supervising the cooks and they are making some great food for the teams. When it’s just us VOH people, Sherry had been cooking once a day for us. Not that they are in their own house down the street, I think we’re on our own. ☺ It will be a good time for me to get serious about doing my shakes for meals. I eat way too much food when the teams are here. It’s just hard to resist!
Sherry is trying to get us all on a healthy path. She has her work cut out for her! I got to walk 4.5 miles yesterday, when I took my ‘required day off’. I hadn’t had the chance to walk for over a week. I really want to get into a routine of it. It’s easier when there is not a team here. Also, I think I will make more time when it’s a team that I don’t have a personal connection to. I’ll not want to spend so much time visiting with them. Then I’ll go ahead and walk early while they are having breakfast. Oh well, sitting on the van for so much traveling back and forth is not helping my backside, either!
It’s been very hot the last few days. Last evening, there was thunder and lightening for a while, but I don’t think it ever rained. We haven’t missed any ministry because of weather, so that’s nice. It’s hard to tell when it will stir up a rain. Winter here (summer in the US) is the rainy season, after all.
Next week we don’t have a team, so I’ll be getting stuff ready for the next week. Then the following week, VOH staff will do other ministry while the large team does their crusade. I’ll have to find out from German what our ministry will be so I can get ready.
A teacher from the Las Quimeras area school asked for a packet of school supplies for the school to use. I’ll make one up and have it ready for German to deliver on Monday. Mike wants to start having School Kits made up from stuff that each team brings down. We’ll have to work that into our correspondence. It will be a good thing.
I’m looking forward to all the changes, improvements and growth that we will be going through these next months. It’s so exciting so see how God is growing this ministry.
I’m so blessed to be a part of it. I love that God has called me to work in Nicaragua and to be a part of Voice of Hope Ministries and all the other things He is planning for me here in Nicaragua. How blessed am I???
The team has some good people for story and song resources. They came up with stuff to keep about 40 kids happy for a while. We gave out candy as they left. There were some teenage boys who came to see the North American girls. We had the North American teens witness to them on the sidelines.
Some of the guys worked on sifting dirt, mixing sand, dirt and concrete together to pour part of the floor in the church. We filled in an area as big as we could with the amount of cement that we had. It was hard, sweaty and rewarding work. I got to use a shovel for a short time, but mostly I just took pictures.
It is so wonderful to see that little church progressing. Ralph, who preached there last week, left some money to buy 5 chairs to add to the ones in the church. I might try to do the same. I love going out there.
It’s been weird this week as we travel from place to place. The team has done a great job of splitting into two groups for Fiestas. They end up getting on the vans in that way, so that leaves Chin-Chin, our little VOH van empty, except for Mike and Sherry and Manuelito until we pick up the translators. They all end up on a van to themselves. I miss riding with the translators. I miss getting to talk to them more.
The food this month has been so good. Sherry is supervising the cooks and they are making some great food for the teams. When it’s just us VOH people, Sherry had been cooking once a day for us. Not that they are in their own house down the street, I think we’re on our own. ☺ It will be a good time for me to get serious about doing my shakes for meals. I eat way too much food when the teams are here. It’s just hard to resist!
Sherry is trying to get us all on a healthy path. She has her work cut out for her! I got to walk 4.5 miles yesterday, when I took my ‘required day off’. I hadn’t had the chance to walk for over a week. I really want to get into a routine of it. It’s easier when there is not a team here. Also, I think I will make more time when it’s a team that I don’t have a personal connection to. I’ll not want to spend so much time visiting with them. Then I’ll go ahead and walk early while they are having breakfast. Oh well, sitting on the van for so much traveling back and forth is not helping my backside, either!
It’s been very hot the last few days. Last evening, there was thunder and lightening for a while, but I don’t think it ever rained. We haven’t missed any ministry because of weather, so that’s nice. It’s hard to tell when it will stir up a rain. Winter here (summer in the US) is the rainy season, after all.
Next week we don’t have a team, so I’ll be getting stuff ready for the next week. Then the following week, VOH staff will do other ministry while the large team does their crusade. I’ll have to find out from German what our ministry will be so I can get ready.
A teacher from the Las Quimeras area school asked for a packet of school supplies for the school to use. I’ll make one up and have it ready for German to deliver on Monday. Mike wants to start having School Kits made up from stuff that each team brings down. We’ll have to work that into our correspondence. It will be a good thing.
I’m looking forward to all the changes, improvements and growth that we will be going through these next months. It’s so exciting so see how God is growing this ministry.
I’m so blessed to be a part of it. I love that God has called me to work in Nicaragua and to be a part of Voice of Hope Ministries and all the other things He is planning for me here in Nicaragua. How blessed am I???
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011 Nicaragua
It's Wednesday already! I'm having a 'required' day off today, so I'm trying to catch up on a lot of stuff.
The last few days of ministry have been great. 12 Fiestas, 1 Feeding, 10 church services, 1 Baptism, tons of candy and unmeasurable fun. 575 Professions of Faith so far. One more ministry day left.
The team has been a lot of fun. It's been great to catch up with Ric and seeing some of the ones who came to NYC while I was there.
It's been very HOT. Power goes off and on a lot, so we lose the fans sometimes. It rained part of a couple of days. Today has been very sunny.
One of the team members was baptized on the shore this afternoon. How special! Hopefully, he didn't feel upstaged by the fishermen who were gutting a sting ray and a hammerhead shark nearby. I wonder who had more pics taken of them, Nick or the shark. hmmm
We're going back into town late this afternoon for some ice cream and some shopping. We went Monday afternoon, but by the time we did an added Fiesta, we only had time for ice cream. I don't think the team will want to shop too long today, since it's so hot. They will get to shop on Friday at some good places, since it's Fun Day.
Time to get off the internet and get ready for town.
¡Bendiciones!
The last few days of ministry have been great. 12 Fiestas, 1 Feeding, 10 church services, 1 Baptism, tons of candy and unmeasurable fun. 575 Professions of Faith so far. One more ministry day left.
The team has been a lot of fun. It's been great to catch up with Ric and seeing some of the ones who came to NYC while I was there.
It's been very HOT. Power goes off and on a lot, so we lose the fans sometimes. It rained part of a couple of days. Today has been very sunny.
One of the team members was baptized on the shore this afternoon. How special! Hopefully, he didn't feel upstaged by the fishermen who were gutting a sting ray and a hammerhead shark nearby. I wonder who had more pics taken of them, Nick or the shark. hmmm
We're going back into town late this afternoon for some ice cream and some shopping. We went Monday afternoon, but by the time we did an added Fiesta, we only had time for ice cream. I don't think the team will want to shop too long today, since it's so hot. They will get to shop on Friday at some good places, since it's Fun Day.
Time to get off the internet and get ready for town.
¡Bendiciones!
Sunday, June 26, 2011 Nicaragua
What a great day of worship! We split into 4 groups and went to 4 churches this morning and then 4 more churches this evening.
Each of the four groups has a ‘preacher’, musician, testimony giver and some singers. They learned and practiced some songs in English and Spanish to share in the services. Everyone has done a great job. The churches are diverse and the groups are seeing a variety of worship styles and even building types for this country. The thing that every church has in common is that they are happy for us to share with them and we all love Jesus!
Our afternoon consisted of lunch, then some Fiesta training. Mike shared information about the Fiestas and the VOH staff demonstrated the Sinbox Sally drama. Afterwards, we got some volunteers to help put candy in little baggies. There was 2 big plastic tubs of candy. And some other volunteers put prizes together for the girls, boys and women that will receive them in the 12 Fiestas this week. Then I cleaned up all the mess and we are ready to rock and roll for the week! It feels good to have it all done on Sunday afternoon, so that we can have rest time during the week between meals and serving times.
It is so great to have Ric here with his team. I met him when I led teams to NYC in 2005 and 2006. Then I moved to NYC to take Ric’s place working with mission teams coming up to serve with the church plant there. Ric and his family moved to Louisiana and began serving at a church there. He brought a group up to work with us in NYC in 2008. The team this week is fun and it’s great to catch up with Ric. We have lots to talk about. ☺
We’ve had a good day with the team today and enjoyed getting to know them a little yesterday afternoon and evening. I know that the week is going to go really quickly. We have lots of ministry planned and it will be Fun Day and travel day before we know it.
I’m looking forward to seeing what all God is going to be doing this week. It’s so nice of Him to let us be a part of His plans. How blessed are we?!!
Each of the four groups has a ‘preacher’, musician, testimony giver and some singers. They learned and practiced some songs in English and Spanish to share in the services. Everyone has done a great job. The churches are diverse and the groups are seeing a variety of worship styles and even building types for this country. The thing that every church has in common is that they are happy for us to share with them and we all love Jesus!
Our afternoon consisted of lunch, then some Fiesta training. Mike shared information about the Fiestas and the VOH staff demonstrated the Sinbox Sally drama. Afterwards, we got some volunteers to help put candy in little baggies. There was 2 big plastic tubs of candy. And some other volunteers put prizes together for the girls, boys and women that will receive them in the 12 Fiestas this week. Then I cleaned up all the mess and we are ready to rock and roll for the week! It feels good to have it all done on Sunday afternoon, so that we can have rest time during the week between meals and serving times.
It is so great to have Ric here with his team. I met him when I led teams to NYC in 2005 and 2006. Then I moved to NYC to take Ric’s place working with mission teams coming up to serve with the church plant there. Ric and his family moved to Louisiana and began serving at a church there. He brought a group up to work with us in NYC in 2008. The team this week is fun and it’s great to catch up with Ric. We have lots to talk about. ☺
We’ve had a good day with the team today and enjoyed getting to know them a little yesterday afternoon and evening. I know that the week is going to go really quickly. We have lots of ministry planned and it will be Fun Day and travel day before we know it.
I’m looking forward to seeing what all God is going to be doing this week. It’s so nice of Him to let us be a part of His plans. How blessed are we?!!
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