Ecclesiastes 3:1
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.”
I apologize for my lack of punctuality. We have had some very long days and I don't believe I could have given my all and properly informed you of our day. So that being said:
Thursdays:
It was incredible how much we completed today. Thankfully, we woke to French Toast prepared by Scott. We arrived at the work site around 9am to complete the foundations we poured yesterday and continue to build the block walls. We have been blessed with some amazing weather to work in this week, but today was HOT! Today’s plan was to work at the church until 3:00 and then do outreach with Nigel, who is a missionary from Ireland. Finally, someone who speaks normal English…well almost normal. Nigel has been a missionary for 9 years now and he plans to speak the word of God on every street in Barquisimeto. His goal: 10,000 souls and he has already saved 2500! It is unbelievable the work he is doing down here. We drove to a remote area where Nigel had established a church to minister with the children and feed them the heartiest meal they would receive this week. While there, we: delivered groceries to families in great need (sort of a “meals on wheels”; however, we were on foot), played kicking ball, played Wii, and sorted cloths to give to the church. After about an hour, we all gathered in the church to feed the children. Every week Nigel gives them a Bible verse to memorize and they have to repeat it the next week; if they do it correctly, they receive presents. This week’s presents were the balls and barbies that we brought from home. It’s a good thing customs didn’t take them from us upon our arrival. After this we handed out the food to the children and watched as they inhaled their food. After a quick group picture we hoped in the van for the ride back. I have come to the realization that the only sad thing about this trip is the look on the faces of the children as we leave. They, however, are excited to know that we will be returning in a year.
Tomorrow is our last work day in Barquisimeto, and then we fly back to the missionary house in Caracas. Please continue to pray for us.
Friday:
Today was filled with joy and sadness. We started the morning partly packing for our quick departure from the seminary later today. We wanted to be able to spend as much time with our new brother's and sisters in Christ as we could before leaving the country. After filling our final foundation and completeing the last level of cement blocks for a wall, we all joined together for our last meal at the church. We were joined by everyone we had touched this week: Pastor Carlos, Samuel, Laura (Samuel's Wife), Pastor Alexander, Medardo, Gladys, Pastor Smit, and many more. At the end of the meal we were offered gifts for all of our help. Its amazing that with so little, these people still have the heart to offer us much of what they have to thank us. A true gift from the heart. We said our final goodbyes and with only knowing our new friends for such a short time, we were still very sad to part ways. I yearn for the opportunity to come back in a year and see my new family again.
We decided that it was best to fly back to Caracas, instead of driving like we did before, and oh what a blessing this was. Instead of 9 hours in a car, it took us less than 35 minutes to fly. We are staying in Caracas tonight at the missions house and our flight leaves tomorrow morning at 9:05am. We are patiently waiting for the opportunity to see you again tomorrow.
Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts for being the biggest blessing. Without you this mission would not be possible. We thank you for your prayers, your financial commitment, your support, your love, your care, and your blessing. This mission was an amazing success because of YOU! We pray that with sharing our stories, we also share the Word of God. This mission doesn't end just because we are coming home....this mission continues in our hearts and gives us the strength and audacity to promote Jesus Christ.
This is the mission team signing out! SEE YOU TOMORROW!
God Bless!
