Day 5 – 30 July
We had no power last night, part way through the night, so no fan in our room, no CPAP, not good sleep, and the generator was fired up at 4:00 a.m. to prepare for the morning until the sun came out to start charging the solar batteries.
Breakfast was pancakes and breakfast sausage. Part of Mike’s birthday gifts early since they thawed on the way here and need to be used.
After breakfast we headed into town for the guys to get hair cuts and Gwen watched to learn how they cut hair here. Kurt is now sporting a high and tight.
Following the haircuts we ran some errands (picked up energy drinks for the guys and dog food) and then headed off to buy lumber for the kitchen to be built for Arnold, one of the boys that graduated from the house and now works for Mike as a “watchie” (grounds security and jack of all trades). Mike is a skilled negotiator when buying anything. We don’t have enough cash, so of to get more cash so we can buy the wood.
A quick snack of corn paste cooked in the husk. Slightly sweet from the corn flavor. Like a tamale without the filling and no salt.
We got a little more than half of the wood loaded on the truck and decided to make two loads so it would not tax the elevated frame on the truck bed. Then a VERY SLOW drive back to the compound to store the wood. It needs to be treated with used motor oil before they start building. Also the wood is safe at Casa Del Camino until they are ready to build, so no one will steal it.
After unloading the first load, we ate lunch and then the guys headed back to the “lumber yard” (a home with lumber all around). Gwen worked on Mike’s birthday card that she did not have time to complete at home. Nothing is a surprise down here (Mike saw it when he came home), but at least we can spend time celebrating with him.
The evening ended with a small Bible study with Mike and Lisa, while the boys did a Bible study with the pastor, Pastor Ludy.
Tomorrow will be the first and maybe only day to visit villages. We are going traveling to 25 families in two different villages for a total of 50 families.
Day 6 – 31 July
Today was a sharing day!
We started the process by driving to the”dump” – a larger place where people dump trash by the road. There was a woman and a small girl living at the dump and collecting things from the trash. Pastor Ludy took the boys and showed them how to share the gospel with the lady. Next, we drove to a dock on the lagoon where supplies are brought in and then trucked into town. There was a family living in an abandoned boat. Again, Pastor Ludy shared, and the boys observed. Each time a gift of food and sundries was given at the end. Then we went to two villages in the other side of the lagoon to share the good news and to share gifts of food and sundries. We divided into three teams of 4 people. The older boys, who have all accepted Jesus as their savior, were given the responsibility of sharing the message. Gwen went with three boys, Kurt went with three boys, and Pastor Ludy went with three boys. The lead boy would ask permission to share about Jesus. Every house we approached all gave permission. The leader of Gwen’s team would ask them questions about if they know who Jesus is and if so, then who is Jesus to them? Then the boys would use the Romans road (Rom 3:23, 6:23, 5:8, 10:9, and 10:13) to share the gospel. They would explain the scripture as they went. When they were done sharing the good news then they would offer to pray for the people. All accepted the prayer. Then they would give the gift of food and sundries. And we would bid the goodbye. Gwen made sure to shake hands with and smile at all the adults that listened. Gwen’s team gave out two bibles and ten gift bags at two villages. The whole Casa del Camino team gave out 24 packets at the first village and 10 packets at the second village. Not sure if the total bibles given but Kurt’s team gave out two, so we know at least 4 were given out. When we finished at the villages we went to the church community and gave out 16 packets to the poor among the church family.
Something really interesting happens when you are generous. It cultivates more generosity! The church family members that lived near the church that were gifted packets, some turned around and gave something back – one made coffee to share with the team members and one shared coconut empanadas with one of the teams a they walked back. My team gifted them a packet and they gifted another team as they returned.
The day ended debriefing with the boys over dinner. Of all those involved, for some this was the first time sharing and they felt scared at first, but as they shared and worked together they grew more confident. They all said they would like to do this again.
Mike, Lisa, Kurt, and Gwen did our Bible study this evening and one of the things we noted was that while our original intent was to bless the communities who have so little, we realized that God also used the experience to strengthen the boys and give them confidence in sharing his message with others. That was super encouraging to us! Yay God! (And our study this evening was on being salt and light! How fitting for the day! Don’t you just love how God ties everything together!)
