An enthusiastic group sends greetings, as we have just finished our prayer/devotional time, and everyone takes up the tasks at hand for this new day.
Talk about enthusiasm, Bro. Jerry came back to the mission house last night full of it, as he reported on a fantastic first work day! SEVEN houses were begun, with four completed to the point of pouring concrete! What a team of workers! Good attitudes and cooperation had prevailed throughout the day. And God gave the increase!
Everyone had time for showers before a great supper was served. Some took their heaped up plates to the rooftop of the mission house, and enjoyed the beautiful scenery along with their meal. We had meatballs served with a wonderful cheese sauce, rice pilaf, fresh broccoli and cauliflower, with the cheese sauce, and buttered, toasted bread. Miss Louise Morris was mentioned several times as we prepared the dessert. This had been her specialty on her many trips, and she was surely missed and remembered. Miss Kittie, with step by step directions from Sharon, provided brownies out of a box. We served it with Guatemalen ice cream, and everyone was so hungry, they didn’t know it from Blue Bell! An added treat to our supper were guests Kirk and Michelle Lightfield. It was so good to renew fellowship with them and introduce them to the new members of our team. The Lord provided the help of Teresa, our housekeeper, who is also Pastor Max’s wife, in the kitchen. Her girls helped with the cleaning chores, and she was able to help Sharon go to the market, as well as prepare the meal. Sharon had no trouble communicating with her. It was a good day in the kitchen, as well as at the work site in the village!
This morning, Bro. Wes’ kitchen team made a great breakfast of bacon and pancakes. Coffee always tastes great here. As always, a large plate was fixed for Juan, and the leftovers (what few they were!) carried to the job sites. Everybody made their own peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for their lunches. That worked out fine!
Prayer time consisted of lots of praise. By the way, if you were praying about the lost passport situation, that was one of our praises! After much red tape, and even a visit to the USA Embassy, he was able to get a replacement so he will be able to leave the country with us next Thursday. Also, we were still praising over the Lord’s guidance and provision that got us all safely here despite the many obstacles of Thursday. I forgot to mention the flat tire on the bus that was to take us from Friendship to the airport early last Thursday morning. That was just one of many obstacles that day, and probably the least scary one!
This morning Bro. Jerry brought God’s message about how ten spies allowed fear to displace faith in God’s promise (Numbers 19:26-33), and challenged us to face our own giants with faith. Awarding the No. 1 necklace was a challenge to Bro. Jerry, because he saw so many Christlike actions yesterday. But he finally gave it to Olivia, the youngest member of our team, because he observed her overcome so many of her own giants yesterday at the worksite. She was afraid to climb, but she went up the ladder anyway. She was new to tools, but took up the challenge anyway.
By the way, to our Southern Gospel Music lovers who read the blog, we have two members of our team who are relatives to the Wills Family. In fact, a young girl relative played guitar with Bro.Kerry and Tena for praise time this morning, and her brother is traveling with PRAISE, INC. right now.
One of my purposes in writing the blog for Bro. Jerry, is to allow those who have been here before to experience this week with us. I know you can just picture the work site in your mind, and our “upper room” experiences also. Another purpose is to encourage those whom God is nudging, to come serve. I have enjoyed sharing with some first trippers how God brought our mission site into being (Bro. Teddie, you’ve got to get that written down), and how He blesses and continues to lead every day. Thank you, Lord, for Bro. Teddie following Your will to provide the leadership, and allowing us to be a small part of it.
Submitted for Bro. Jerry by Kittie.