At the beginning of the week I was astonished to see a 150' long pier and 5 homes have been built. Where it was unkempt before, they are now cutting the grass with Machetes, clearing the homes for the snakes and mice and rats. There were some swollen bellies and some naked kids, but fewer than before.
We had a very good time! The floor for the school was almost complete when we got there. Our guys spent a little time confirming the floor plan, stud spacing, and material plans, and got to work. By the end of the first day the walls were framed, second day roof framed and ready for siding, but there were no nails for the siding. The guys measured and cut all of the siding and framed the house, waiting for the siding nails to arrive on Wednesday. Having a break in the action, we played with kids and got to know the villagers.
I fell in love with Celestino, Yahaida, Letisha and many others. Everywhere I looked, I saw little kids playing, laughing, and sitting in laps.
We went to Toris Creek for a medical clinic where I had been in 2005 with a large team from White River, Stroh, and Christ's Church at Georgetown and saw the 7 homes we built all lived in, the wooden school replaced with a beautiful concrete and tile school. The day before school was to start there was a room with 10 bags of rice, 100 pounds each. There is a large kitchen and 5 latrines. The proud teacher was there bragging about the success of his students and how the school was changing the village.
We learned that a school brings more than education. It brings food for the kids - one meal a day, vaccinations, $20 per kid per month helping relieve their crushing poverty.
Juan told us about he breadth of his work - numerous churches, missionaries in Cuba, Guatamaula, Nicaraugua, Costa Rica, DR, numerous schools and homes have been built, and some 20,000 people baptized! Medical Care provided in 5 remote medical clinics and countless mobile clinics. Lives changed on earth and brought into relationship with Jesus for all of eternity! It's a real privilege to work with someone so blessed by the Holy Spirit.
The team is safe, healthy, happy, and looking forward to coming home! Thanks for the prayers!
Love you all!,