Day Four

Tuesday 7/14/09
Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me (Matt 18:5 NKJ)
Well, we were able to rise on time and despite some minor aches, leave Rancho el Paraiso on our second day’s journey to our village of San Bonaventura. The trip takes about thirty minutes over a dirt road through the mountains where the beautiful vistas are somewhat offset by the twisting turns and guard-rail free road edges, stimulating thoughts revolving around the phrase, (What if?” We encounter donkeys, goats, cattle, horses, ducks, dogs, chickens and people on the road and they sometimes do not yield, even though we have the right-of-way. However, one quickly learns to go with the flow.
A lot was accomplished today as we placed cement floors in five more homes, giving their owners a great sense of pride and gratefulness. Walls and a roof were placed on another home with the same resulting joy experienced by the owners. We shared Christ with them by blessing each home with a prayer. At the school, Marcia & Heather had a mobile clinic in a empty room for the mom’s. They taught nutrition, hydration, first aid, and amazingly CPR to 12 young mothers. We also laid hands on one young man in healing prayer, with all the mom’s assisting. This was indeed a powerful moment from Christ. The distribution of simple personal first aid kits went well. Many continued to show up throughout the day for kits as word spread.
In our VBS, students were taught about the meaning of belonging to Jesus Christ and asked to write a letter to God . The results were heart-warming. They also learned about the meaning of Christian sharing.
A regional soccer tournament began today, under the administration and sponsorship of Lester and Ken from Texas and Dennis from Virginia. Twelve teams consisting of 12 - 15 year olds from throughout the region are participating, yielding an exciting first days activity. The finishing games will occur tomorrow.
Overall, we are experiencing God’s love in ways we had not considered and expect it to continue throughout this journey.
Written by Norm and augmented by Marcia.