Tuesday/June 24, 2003
Mark and Eric brought our morning devotion on using the talents God has given us. It is really special how everyone is so eager to share. After breakfast we divided into several groups to work on different projects - we are painting gates, making more blocks; working on school packets, working on computers, and cleaning the mission's store (ask Donna about cleaning fish!)
Ginny, Bandy, and Kayla went with the Tennessee team to teach VBS. The leader of that team was so impressed with Kayla and Ginny and talked about how they were an inspiration to his youth!! He wanted permission to adopt them….denied.
We have rice and beans with nearly every meal, but the food is good! Tonight we had fried huka, it's better than fried "tators".
We traveled to Santa Rosa to go to the church. It was so special to know that First Church Canyon was there to dig the footings! (Thanks Charlie for your vision.) The enthusiasm of this small group of people was contagious - it was evident that they love Jesus by the way they read scriptures, sang, prayed - they were hungry for Him. They nearly all greeted each of us with a hug, sometimes a kiss. We could learn a lot from them! But Clark, & Tom, I wouldn't plan on a second hour service just yet!
On the way home we were asked to stop and pray for the man who was instrumental in starting the Methodist Church in Santa Rosa in his house. He is in a coma. Most of the group went into his very small home to sing and pray for him. He opened his eyes a couple of times during the songs and prayers. The group was overwhelmed by the presence of God in that house, the peace was unbelievable. Several expressed the desire to live their lives in such a way that even in dying, you are a testimony. It is evident that we will not return the same and no doubt will be receiving far more than we are giving.
At sharing time we were bubbling over with pure joy!
