Manic Monday…Plus a Sunday Recap

A very full Sunday began with worship in a classroom, as the sanctuary was awaiting a new roof. The deacon who led the service incorporated more hymns than in our typical services and led them in a fine tenor voice. Afterward, teen boys taught us how to make their traditional kites. The interaction was wonderful, and many colorful kites were made. Women from the church fed us a delicious lunch. Meanwhile, several team members drilled water buckets and installed filters, preparing them for delivery to homes later in the day. Our team was then subdivided into small groups accompanied by translators, and off we went to visit homes around the neighborhood. At each stop, we demonstrated how to use and clean the filter, presented the Gospel using color pages or the Evange-cube, and prayed with the recipient families. At one stop, the head of the household returned the favor with a lengthy and heartfelt prayer thzt blessed the team members right down to their toes, regardless of the language barrier. Before boarding the van to return to the mission house, we had a short time to shop the handcrafts of some of the church women. It was sensory overload for lovers of handmade textiles!

After an early breakfast this morning, we were off to the shelter village where survivors of the El Fuego eruption are housed while they rebuild their homes or find other permanent housing, a process that could take several years. During the morning, a group of residents attended health and hygiene presentations in an open pavilion while two of us led children’s activities in the building occupied by Lead a Child. After our packed lunch, we again divided into small groups and delivered the water filtration bucket to residents of the shelter village. The responses were heartwarming, as much appreciaton was expressed by people who had lost homes, household goods, and often close family members. The Gospel we shared was often echoes back to us by people whose faith had literally been tested by fire. May we have listening ears and receptive hearts as we return tomorrow to bring the gift of pure water, share the Water of Life, and hear stories that bring a measure of healing to those who tell them. Pray that we may serve them well!