Day 3 Stories

We just finished our team time so I am ready to share stories.  First, our team devotion was from Luke 16:19-31, The Rich Man and Lazarus.  We talked about how our faith and our actions need to be pointing folks toward God both here and at home.

Christian's Story - Instead of playing Duck, Duck, Goose, folks here play Cat, Cat, Dog.  While Christian was running around the circle he wiped out.  The whole group had a good laugh.  Afterwards a little girl came up to him and said something that he didn't understand.  Christian asked an interpreter to come tell him what the girl had said.  The girl was checking to see if he was ok.

Fil's Story - After waking up from our lunch time nap, Fil looked out to the front of the church and some of our kids and adults were out front of the church playing, singing, and dancing with the neighborhood kids.  It is amazing to see our folks putting so much effort into the people and the work that we are around.

My story - I met Pastor Ramone today.  He is the pastor of Ebenezer Church where we are doing the construction.  When I told him I was a pastor too, he lit up and gave me a great big bear hug.  It was so awesome to have that connection with another pastor even when we can barely communicate with words.

David's Story - During a game, a little boy got pushed down and began to cry.  David scooped him up to comfort him.  Shortly the boy began to color and just leaned back in the safety of David's lap.  It is amazing how kids can be trusting and loving to people that they barely know.

General VBS story - The group told 2 stories today.  They revisited the Good Samaritan again and also told the story of Jesus walking on water.  Some of the group painted girls' fingernails.  While they were doing that, some of the girls tried to grab the polish remover so that they could get theirs done again.  The pastor of the church where they were working lives in the church and was sick so he slept most of the time, but even in the loud times when he was woken up, he smiled large at the children being loved on.  The children taught our group how to sing and dance and be excited to be worshipping God.

General construction story - The group moved and restacked about 2 tons of cinder blocks.  It was back breaking labor but the group worked incredibly hard to get the job accomplished.  After lunch we were tasked with leveling the walkway between the exterior wall of the school and the wall surrounding the school.  Some of the places had to be brought up by 2 feet.  The work was hard and the sun was making it extremely hot, yet we worked hard and steady throughout the day.  

Thank you for following our journey. I have been unable to post pictures because I forgot to bring my SD card adapter for my ipad.  I will borrow Christine's laptop soon to post a few of my pictures so that you can see some of the images we are experiencing.  God is good.  We are tired.  As I mentioned earlier, we do have a few who have been a little ill so please pray for them.  The team is doing good but will be going to bed soon because of our fatigue.   Thanks for the strength that your prayers are bringing us.