As we reached the church the cloud shut and the rain stopped. Praise the Lord. It was a little humorous because the moment we said, "Amen" after closing up for the day it started to rain.
Approximately 46 children (new children kept coming in throughout the day and this was the last official count though I know at least another 4 or 5 came in after) joined us today for camp. The age range was a little wider than we had planned but we adapted and the day came off relatively well. We certainly learned a lot to aid in the next preparation which was our goal for this one day, day camp.
Probably a highlight for my day at camp was the sub camp that I had the opportunity to be involved in just outside the doors of the church. A group of three boys stood outside the church looking in but were obviously uncomfortable coming into the church. I felt the Lord putting on my heart "if they won't come in to us I should really be going out to them." With a short prayer for courage I went out to meet them. Quickly our group grew to about 8 and we did crafts together, I shared a magic trick and story, we made up some songs about the tortilla sales man that drove by every 15 minutes and had a really good time. These new friends were a real blessing and I pray that the love of God will penitrate their precious hearts.
Eventually the guys joined me inside to watch the Jesus video for kids. And they ate my hotdog - no devoured my hotdog. They're special kids and I plan to stop by their houses next Sunday before we make preparations to leave.
Thanks for your prayers. Tomorrow we will start our trek. We plan to take a young man from the community with us. We strongly feel that Alex will need someone to walk alongside him to assist him in his work and we hope to offer this young man named Jamin some encouragement.
Hopefully I'll be able to update you again but I'm unsure what sort of access we'll have along the way.
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Rain, Rain, Go Away
If anyone should check this blog before you head to church you might want to remember us and ask that God would hold back the rain. Even if it would be long enough for the children to come to the church for the day camp program.
I've come to learn that rain is one of the bigger challenges to the church here. When it rains no one comes to church. The other day when we were asked to speak at Pastor Marlon's church it began to rain. There were only two others that had come to the service and I think they were the pastor's wife and an associate pastor. So on the way to church we made several stops and packed as many as we could in the small little van. For some pastors like Marlon this can be very discouraging. His heart grieves that his church is so loosely committed. Others feel obligated to lower their expectations.
So as it rains here (shortly after 6 am) we feel a little discouraged. I don't know if Satan is working hard to discourage us or if God is trying to redirect us. Already as we spent some time reflecting on the staff training time we realized there is a big task ahead. Though the program itself went very well and the youth shared that they had learned so much and had received encouraging challenge we see little translating to action. Of the 15 Belizian youth we trained only 4 have committed themselves to helping us for 1 day of camp. So we feel a little discouraged with the state of the Spanish church and these youth.
However, we know God will provide in other ways. The group for Blue Creek was excited to come serve and we're confident they will bring back their group of 10 plus a few extra. It's amazing how evident the difference between these churches is. We wish the Spanish pastors would see that if they only took a little time to invest in the lives of their youth that they too would become active like this in their faith.
Well, the bottom line is we are certainly learning. We have certainly leared a lot already and I'm so encouraged by Alex who everyday becomes more and more convinced that he is called to serve is people and the youth of Belize. It may take some time but God will begin to convince churches and bring about change in the lives of the youth. I'm completely confident that God is going to use Alex in a profound way to play a part in this change.
Well, the rain is still coming down hard. I may be fully showered by the time I reach the shower house. BONUS!
We covet your prayers today!
I've come to learn that rain is one of the bigger challenges to the church here. When it rains no one comes to church. The other day when we were asked to speak at Pastor Marlon's church it began to rain. There were only two others that had come to the service and I think they were the pastor's wife and an associate pastor. So on the way to church we made several stops and packed as many as we could in the small little van. For some pastors like Marlon this can be very discouraging. His heart grieves that his church is so loosely committed. Others feel obligated to lower their expectations.
So as it rains here (shortly after 6 am) we feel a little discouraged. I don't know if Satan is working hard to discourage us or if God is trying to redirect us. Already as we spent some time reflecting on the staff training time we realized there is a big task ahead. Though the program itself went very well and the youth shared that they had learned so much and had received encouraging challenge we see little translating to action. Of the 15 Belizian youth we trained only 4 have committed themselves to helping us for 1 day of camp. So we feel a little discouraged with the state of the Spanish church and these youth.
However, we know God will provide in other ways. The group for Blue Creek was excited to come serve and we're confident they will bring back their group of 10 plus a few extra. It's amazing how evident the difference between these churches is. We wish the Spanish pastors would see that if they only took a little time to invest in the lives of their youth that they too would become active like this in their faith.
Well, the bottom line is we are certainly learning. We have certainly leared a lot already and I'm so encouraged by Alex who everyday becomes more and more convinced that he is called to serve is people and the youth of Belize. It may take some time but God will begin to convince churches and bring about change in the lives of the youth. I'm completely confident that God is going to use Alex in a profound way to play a part in this change.
Well, the rain is still coming down hard. I may be fully showered by the time I reach the shower house. BONUS!
We covet your prayers today!
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