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VBS…Weeds…Fruit…Oh My!
 

What does VBS (Vacation Bible School), weeds and fruit all have in common?

 Read on to find out…

          Last week was a week full of kids, VBS and fun! In order for the kids to come to VBS, my team and I went to the surrounding houses located around the church in a rural area called Mijo (“ME-HO”). We then shared with the different families about GOD’s truth & love and at the same time, invited their kids to VBS. Trying to share with families was kind of frustrating to me because of the language barrier-even with a translator. But GOD broke this language barrier with HIS unconditional love that showed through us- regardless! Pastor Manuel would also go and pick-up kids to bring them to VBS. There were between 15-20 kids on average. But on the last day of VBS there were 74 kids total- praise GOD!

          Throughout the week, my team and I taught Bible stories, lead worship- singing songs, taught scripture, made crafts and played games. This definitely was not my thing, but GOD showed up and worked in and through me anyways…HE is amazing how HE works that way! Below is a couple of pictures of me sharing and teaching the story of “Jonah” with the kids. I think they learned a lot or maybe not? J
 
 
         
    Moving forward to this week…it has been going good. Throughout the week we gave kids haircuts- at least we tried to (it doesn’t help when we randomly have electricity!). For the most part, I did labor again working outside repairing church fencing, cutting more weeds and picking up trash. Below is a picture of me with a machette, a hoe (which was broken that I fixed too) and the area I was cutting weeds & clearing out.
 
 
While I was actually working and cutting the weeds, I was thinking of the “weeds” and asked GOD… “GOD show me what weeds I currently have in my life?” And the following weeds that I believe GOD showed me that I have in my own life now are: selfishness, jealousy, envy, impurity (lust), pride, anger and at times, not having a servant’s heart. As a result, I felt convicted and I prayed the following prayer…
   “JESUS you are the true vine, and Heavenly FATHER you are the gardener. Cut off every weed (branch) in me that bears no fruit so that you will prune me to bear fruit for you. Thank you that if I remain in you and JESUS you remain in me, I will bear much fruit; apart from you I can do nothing. FATHER…this is for your glory that you bear fruit in me, showing me to be your disciple. Continue to remove the weeds in my life and fill me with the fruit of your HOLY SPIRIT….love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.      ><> John 15:1-2, 4-5, 8; Galations 5:22<>< I pray asking these things with anticipation, expectancy and thanksgiving in JESUS’ name- amen.”

          The rest of this week is pretty low-keyed. Going to a Thanksgiving church service tonight. Tomorrow (Friday) is a free day and Pastor Manuel is taking my team and I to a dam, sight-seeing and maybe pizza. As for the remaining time, I will be packing to get ready to leave on Saturday morning to go to Haiti. Please be in prayer for our safe travel and protection- thanks! Next update will be from Haiti…until then…

Be Encouraged in CHRIST,

Love

Derek J