To say we are all exhausted is a major understatement. This wonderful group has worked, has endured, has shared, and has smile more in the last few days than most have all year long. Dave and I left early this morning to visit missionaries in Managua. They have a beautiful ministry which they started from their own home 14 years ago, and has now expanded to five cell churches. They now have 600 members. Sounds a little familiar, doesn´t it:o) We were able to help them with supplies they needed to finish their buidling. Pastor Ramon shared with us how we were an answer to prayer. It really is humbling to hear someone say that to you. Seeing the joy a few bags of cement can bring to a pastor´s face is cool enough. However, when this humble servant tells you that your gift has lifted his spirits, that he was ready to quit, and your visit has helped him see again that God is still with him. Now that Bible verse comes to life. It is nice to get gifts, but, wow, it is amazing to give! His time is always on time. Thank you for allowing us to be here. Thank you for giving us up for a little while, so that we can make a difference for eternity.
We had three construction crews today. One finished painting Gertrudis´families home. The other crew continued to work tiredlessly on the Sunday School room and bathroom, while yet another crew finished painting the outside of the church and made a beautiful sign.
We came back for a quick lunch and headed to a church close to Managua, where we did our final VBS. It really wasn´t controlled chaos. It was really just chaos. We started with only about 30 kids. That was before we sent out three teams with bullhorns to let the neighborhood know about our little Festival for Jesus. Amaris returned with a group of kids following behind her. Her team looked like little pippers. We were up to 250ish kids and adults. We had several accept Christ as their Savior. Each child and adult there left with a little something. We handed out salvation braclets, balloons, crackers and juice (prepared by James and Mike H:o)), a stuffed animal and a sticker or two. It was amazing to see what these children and moms would do for something we can pick up at a yard sale for a quarter. Since this was our last VBS, we asked the pastor to bring in his church members and have them sit by family. We then gave them complete soccer uniforms, toys, and other trinkets. Even the pastor received a jersey!
It´s amazing how our ladies, other than myself, are so organized. This trip would not be going so smoothly if it wasn´t for the organizational talents of Linda, Danielle, Dorothy and Brenda. With Linda as manager, these ladies work their magic with everything from balloons, to stuffed animals, to well, everything. God really outdid himself when he put this group together:o)
Tomorrow is a big day for us. We will be showing the Jesus Film to over 2,000ish people in an outside arena. Please continue to pray for the hearts of all who will be watching. Please also pray for the rain to stay away, again.
We love you. We miss you. Be ready to stop at our favorite pizza joint, McDonald´s or Crispers when we get home.
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