Beunas Tardes! Good Afternoon!
We are home from our second day of VBS. It was a really great day. We woke up to cool and cloudy weather today, we are up even higher in altitude here and the clouds were covering the tops of the hills/mountains. Some of us really notice the altitude when we are walking up and down the hills.
Terry was able to go with Pastor Jaime and Hayley to get some groceries yesterday so the kids had a lot more options for breakfast this morning, which I think they were grateful for. So there was jam, peanut butter, muffins, oranges etc.
We walk down to the church from our school/home each day, today ALL of the team members wore sunscreen :) . Gratefully Noah’s fever broke and though he was a little shaky he was determined that he wanted to come to VBS today. So I was able to go too.
The children were all there and ready for us to start at 9 am. They line up in age groups outside the gates of the courtyard where the church is located. The church has permission to close off the street and so we begin with our opening songs in the street as we gather them together. Today Christie and Megan led the songs and taught the kids new actions to new songs. Then we begin with each age group moving to one of the stations (Crafts, Games or Chatter’s Theatre).
Today the craft was making a wind chime to illustrate the point that God is Real. Just as the wind blows the chime and we see it move, God is real and in action in our world – even when we can’t see Him – we can see what He does. Erin, Emily, Lyndi and Noah helped prepare the craft and then it was all hands on deck helping them put it together. Our largest group of kids is the 4 – 5 year olds so you can imagine how busy it is. Today I think we had about 135 + children.
Joel did a great job leading games again today. We did a version of duck duck goose – but in Spanish and Freeze Tag with the kids. I love to hear their laughter and see their enjoyment of just playing. What I saw today is that some of the children are intimidated by all of us Canadians to being with but really warm up as the day goes on. Mexican people are so very warm and friendly. I delight in seeing how they want to know us, learn about us and spend time with us.
Katherine is a natural with the kids. She is usually seen being held in each hand by some little person, and they sit close to her and want to be hugged or talked to. One of the children today brought a little English/Spanish translation book with phrases and she sat on the sidewalk and spent time talking with them.
After one station the kids have a lunch break and then move to the other stations and finally finish at the Bible story/singing time. Joel, Siobhan, Tim, Matt, Hayley and Lyndi taught the Bible Story about Rahab and the Israelites saved on the roof.
I’m so very glad to see how much help it is to have students and leaders that speak Spanish. Hayley lead the Bible time with the whole group and “review” with the children and you can see her teaching gifts come out with them.
I absolutely loved being at VBS today. To see our students spending time jumping in, leading, caring for kids, showing love, being shown love was amazing. I am coming to see why this culture has been so moving to our students and leaders that have come before. When you are loved so generously how can you help but love back? Today one of the girls was eating a mango, I asked her if that was what it was and she said yes, then went and got me one. My first Mexican mango! Oh was it delicious! It’s so ripe and flavourful that you can peel it like a banana and eat it. Some of the people of the church were concerned that we Canadians would be cold at night sleeping on the floor. They collected a huge bag of blankets for us for tonight. They give so generously out of whatever they have. I have a new perspective for God’s love today, I feel like my world became so much bigger, His work so much more than our limited viewpoint.
I was so touched to see different relationships being built between the team and Mexican children and some of the older kids who are helpers for us. There’s so much I wish I could articulate better. There are lots of hand clapping games, laughter, and English/Spanish mixes.
Well, the church again made us a delicious lunch at about 1:30 pm. Mashed potatoes, this amazing pasta – almost like alfredo but not with such thick sauce and some pieces of chicken, and a sweet juice drink and bread.
The church petitioned the city for the use of a bus, so after lunch they went on a little excursion to see a beautiful church and an amazing viewpoint. Terry then asked if they could return a little early today so that the team could have quiet time (right now) and then we’ll have prep for tomorrow, supper here at the school which we’ll make for ourselves from the groceries we bought, and then the team meeting/worship later. Hopefully an early bed time then the 11:00 pm we’ve been having.
Prayer Requests – The altitude seems to make the kids really stuffy and some kids are looking a little worn out. Pray for good sleeps, for kids to pace themselves and take rest when it’s offered to them
Pray for our preparation for VBS tomorrow, and that we would make good use of our time. The Bible point for tomorrow is "God is strong". My heart is that children would grow in their understanding of the Lord that they would maybe for the first time begin to understand who He is to them. We really want to make an impact here in this community for Christ.
Pray for the kids as they are likely moving between some culture shock and an embrace of the culture and people. Pray that they would be listening to God’s voice in their own lives and be willing to listen to what He wants to teach them.
Praise – Matt is improving we think with his sore throat, we’re keeping an eye on him. He’s definitely a trooper. A very tall trouper too :)
Noah definitely is improving, we’re trying to help him take it easy for a full recovery.
You know the one child (of our children) we probably had the most concern for was Ethan on this trip and he’s embraced the people and time here most! What a great answer to prayer.
I am incredibly grateful for Dave. He is the Assistant Team leader and has jumped in to take over in many places when either Terry is pulled away, or like last night when we had to take Noah to the hospital. He is such a great young man, and I see God growing his leadership in so many ways.
More first impressions from the team:
Scary/fun and exciting (I was really over tired when we got here!) - Drew
Overwhelming! The hospitality of everyone here is more than I could imagine. I have fallen in love with this city, culture and these people. I don't want to go home! - Erin
It's been encouraging to see and instantly become a part of the community here (2 Corinthians 3 - really reminded me of the church here in Mexico - rich generosity and eager willingness) - Lyndi
They drink a lot of pop! - Ethan (Ethan didn't realize that they drink pop with us because we can't drink the tap water! We also drink a lot of bottled water here).
............
Alright friends! I need to eat my supper of a ham sandwich, crackers and some cookies and then we have prep work!
I'll try and add more pictures another post - It's really taking a long time to get them to load, and there's lots still to do tonight.
Blessings on all of you at "home", we are so very grateful for your prayers and support, it very much carries us through!
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