Ministry update
We are still doing construction on the church. This week we have primarily been making
and pouring concrete. It is
actually enjoyable and a new skill that I am mastering…well sort of. We all work alongside with the Pastor
and some of the other church members. They do not speak English but Elizabeth on my team can
help translate from Spanish.
We typically start work at 8, have a lunch break 12-1, then work until
430ish. One way we have been
bonding with the community is through soccer games. They all love to play soccer. I must say it is not my favorite sport in the world, but it
is a great way to interact with the people.
The entire community has been so welcoming. Although they do not have much,
material and possession wise, they have gone out of their way to bless us. Everyday the women in the community
will bring us snacks and drinks. The community got together and got all their extra blankets together and
brought them to us because it is so cold at night. The church and another church in the area got together and
got us a Hot water heater for us to have hot drinks with purified water. The beautiful thing about it all is
they bless us because they know God will bless them through it. They truly give when they don’t really
have. They know what living by
faith means. It has been so
humbling and an honor to come in and be a part of this community. A large percentage of this community is
already Christian. Our main role
here, has been to bring physical labor but also to bring a new fresh
encouraging Spirit from the Lord. I feel as though we have lifted their spirits and God has used us to
show them that He does care about them and what they are doing here. We are the first group to ever come in
and to stay here with the people while we work. We are all just enjoying getting to know each other and walk
and work alongside each other daily in our faith and common love for God.
They have church here every Monday afternoon. Little random fact is that all
the church services are broadcast through a huge speaker so that the entire
community can hear everything. They generally have worship, scripture read, and a sermon. We have had the opportunity to sing
songs for them and also Jory has had the chance to share a short message at the
services. Even though we don’t
usually understand most of what is being said at the service because it is all
in Spanish and their native language also; it is amazing to just listen and
watch them worship. At the last
church service we met a little boy named Emmanuel. His eye was blinded from an accident as a child. We have begun praying for his eye daily
for it to be healed. Please keep
him in your prayers also. We are
all praying and believing in faith that God is going to heal his eye and restore
it back to full sight.
I can’t say enough how much of a blessing it has been to be
a part of this community. I love
their simple lifestyle, their love and faith for the Lord, and their willing
hearts to help serve us. God is
truly at work in the Pastor, his family, and his church. Please continue to keep us all in your
prayers.
That we may continue to be safe on the work site and be
extra productive in our last week here while working on the church.
Pray for Emmanuel’s eye..and pray in faith believing that
God can and will heal his eye.
Pray for continued encouragement, building of realtionships,
and growth
Pray that we would continue to be able to help encourage,
build up, and strengthen these Christians in their faith. They have definitely encouraged and
blessed me while being here.
Thanks again to all of you back home for your prayers, love,
and support. I miss you all so
much and love you tons!!!
