Another beautiful day in Tecate, Mexico! I think the group would agree the heat is definitely present and anxious to get back to a bit cooler weather.
The day began with pancakes and off to VBS. Dan, Al, Jared and Scott again spent the day finishing, or nearly finishing, Pastor Alfredo’s church. Two weeks ago they had only walls. The crew from the Alaska church put the roof on last week and our crew finished the roof, framed the side of the church, set windows and doors, revamped a house next door and indoor plumbing with gravity feed water system for Pastor Alfredo’s house (in door and out)! Absolutely life changing for the families and church members!
The rest of the team (in the morning) had a pancake breakfast for the families of Pastor Alfredo’s church. The team made the pancakes and enjoyed serving the children who have little to no food daily. We take for granted the simple thing like cooking pancakes. Without the generator (thanks again to the persons donating the generators) they have little ability to do many things – have a fridge, have lights, etc…
Our students did a great job of playing with kids, engaging them for the brief time we were there. Megan, Kelly, Loren and Tyson shared testimonies then we shared David and Goliath through a skit. Pastor Jose shared briefly then we had a time of coloring. All the kids loved it, including ours. We ended with the traditional piñata with great delight to the kids pocketing great amounts of candy!
We drove to Pastor Alejandro’s – driving here is not a quick and easy thing for our group. First off the heat is crazy; the vehicles (we have) don’t have AC; and, it seems like every time it should take us 10 minutes it takes 30. Usually we needed to purchase something so rather than keeping the kids in the van’s with the windows closed (I was out voted) we let the kids come in to the cool store. It did feel good but with 20 something gallivanting around it takes time…it’s all good!
Again Pastor Alejandro had the water running and the floors IN THE CHURCH cooled down for our arrival. How refreshing. We had purchased sandwich makings but when we arrived, Pastor Alejandro’s wife, Gabriella, had prepared bean and chorizo burritos. It was absolutely wonderful. We kept the sandwich stuff for the evening meal and devoured her cooking.
The afternoon VBS was next to the church (a few blocks) with about half the kids showing from yesterday but had more adults. Similar process as the morning, however, Jeff, Kayla, Sam and Derek shared their testimonies. Following the children’s portion, Jose and Alejandro shared with the adults. Several individuals requested prayer and one wanted to invite the Lord as His personal savior.
We pray the Lord opened his eyes to the truth of who he is and we are desperately lost without Him! The gentleman lived up the street from the church and promised to be at the service in the morning with his family. All the adults were challenged to get plugged into the ministry Pastor Alejandro and Gabriella provide at church and to stay connected with other believers. Pray the VBS today was made a great impact on the community close to the church.
The piñata rope broke with Patrick (from Spongebob Squarepants) still in tack. The kids were like vultures with Jose fending off. The candies were collect by the team and began throwing around. Great fun!
At both VBS events, we served water and watermelon or bananas. I wondered of how many of those kids that was their first and last thing to eat that day…
We ate when we arrived at the campground and the kids swam. Jill and Kylee monitored the pool while the rest of the leaders and a few students help clean up the vans and organize our stuff. I am extremely thankful for the adults on this trip. Melany, Naomi, Liz, Jill, Kylee, Al, Scott, Jared and Dan have been an absolute great group to be with. Thanks much you guys.
We ended our night with devotions led by Hunter (I don’t even know his last name). Hunter is the pastor’s son from the church in Alaska the Nicholas family attended. He shared about giving to the least of these…reminding us that regardless of where we are and who we come in contact with, it is important to remember our walk and talk (IF we claim to be Christian).
Not sure if there will be a blog entry tomorrow with access to wi-fi and time. If so great! If not, then those loved ones with family here will hear firsthand the adventures for the week. Others of you stay tune for when we will share at FCC and plan on attending..JPG)
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The day began with pancakes and off to VBS. Dan, Al, Jared and Scott again spent the day finishing, or nearly finishing, Pastor Alfredo’s church. Two weeks ago they had only walls. The crew from the Alaska church put the roof on last week and our crew finished the roof, framed the side of the church, set windows and doors, revamped a house next door and indoor plumbing with gravity feed water system for Pastor Alfredo’s house (in door and out)! Absolutely life changing for the families and church members!
The rest of the team (in the morning) had a pancake breakfast for the families of Pastor Alfredo’s church. The team made the pancakes and enjoyed serving the children who have little to no food daily. We take for granted the simple thing like cooking pancakes. Without the generator (thanks again to the persons donating the generators) they have little ability to do many things – have a fridge, have lights, etc…
Our students did a great job of playing with kids, engaging them for the brief time we were there. Megan, Kelly, Loren and Tyson shared testimonies then we shared David and Goliath through a skit. Pastor Jose shared briefly then we had a time of coloring. All the kids loved it, including ours. We ended with the traditional piñata with great delight to the kids pocketing great amounts of candy!
We drove to Pastor Alejandro’s – driving here is not a quick and easy thing for our group. First off the heat is crazy; the vehicles (we have) don’t have AC; and, it seems like every time it should take us 10 minutes it takes 30. Usually we needed to purchase something so rather than keeping the kids in the van’s with the windows closed (I was out voted) we let the kids come in to the cool store. It did feel good but with 20 something gallivanting around it takes time…it’s all good!
Again Pastor Alejandro had the water running and the floors IN THE CHURCH cooled down for our arrival. How refreshing. We had purchased sandwich makings but when we arrived, Pastor Alejandro’s wife, Gabriella, had prepared bean and chorizo burritos. It was absolutely wonderful. We kept the sandwich stuff for the evening meal and devoured her cooking.
The afternoon VBS was next to the church (a few blocks) with about half the kids showing from yesterday but had more adults. Similar process as the morning, however, Jeff, Kayla, Sam and Derek shared their testimonies. Following the children’s portion, Jose and Alejandro shared with the adults. Several individuals requested prayer and one wanted to invite the Lord as His personal savior.
We pray the Lord opened his eyes to the truth of who he is and we are desperately lost without Him! The gentleman lived up the street from the church and promised to be at the service in the morning with his family. All the adults were challenged to get plugged into the ministry Pastor Alejandro and Gabriella provide at church and to stay connected with other believers. Pray the VBS today was made a great impact on the community close to the church.
The piñata rope broke with Patrick (from Spongebob Squarepants) still in tack. The kids were like vultures with Jose fending off. The candies were collect by the team and began throwing around. Great fun!
At both VBS events, we served water and watermelon or bananas. I wondered of how many of those kids that was their first and last thing to eat that day…
We ate when we arrived at the campground and the kids swam. Jill and Kylee monitored the pool while the rest of the leaders and a few students help clean up the vans and organize our stuff. I am extremely thankful for the adults on this trip. Melany, Naomi, Liz, Jill, Kylee, Al, Scott, Jared and Dan have been an absolute great group to be with. Thanks much you guys.
We ended our night with devotions led by Hunter (I don’t even know his last name). Hunter is the pastor’s son from the church in Alaska the Nicholas family attended. He shared about giving to the least of these…reminding us that regardless of where we are and who we come in contact with, it is important to remember our walk and talk (IF we claim to be Christian).
Not sure if there will be a blog entry tomorrow with access to wi-fi and time. If so great! If not, then those loved ones with family here will hear firsthand the adventures for the week. Others of you stay tune for when we will share at FCC and plan on attending.
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