On Wednesday and Thursday our Bible School team took 46 and 42 to Outrigger Island, respectively. The Thursday count is a guess. At the beginning of VBS at 9:30, there were something like 7 children. But they kept trickling in until finally about 10:30 we had everyone. It reminded several of us of our 10am service at FBC. Spirits were really high. We believe the kids were late because many stayed out late on Wednesday at the block party.
Both children and adults had a good time in VBS. Wednesday the ABC's of salvation were shared. While no one indicated that they accepted Christ then, several did that evening. More on that in a moment. The teaching, recreation, crafts and everything have been top notch.
The construction team with all materials in place from the beginning made great progress on the Trevino home on Wednesday. By the end of the day on Thursday, the job was finished, siding and roof in place.
While we had noticed mosquitos throughout the week, Wednesday and Thursday they seemed to be everywhere. Pastor Omar cautioned us about being outside without repellent and, boy, was he ever right. Still it was one of those minor annoyances that Satan will use to distract God's people from their appointed ministry. Our team did not fall for it. They slathered on more spray and kept going. Way to go!
Wednesday and Thursday stood out because in the evening we hosted block parties each night. We invited the community through flyers and word of mouth. We served delicious hot dogs (Michael Wideman cooks a tasty tube steak), chips, and drinks. We had games for the children which they loved. One game in particular had children standing in line 10-12 at a time. Someone commented that it looked like Six Flags. We watched, Magdelena, a wonderful, moving film about the life of Mary Magdeline. Pastor Omar gave a stirring invitation after the movie. And then we ended with ice cream, donated by the local Blue Bunny distributor at the request of our own Gary Beavers. Needless to say the ice cream was a hit. Thanks to Gary and Blue Bunny.
The Wednesday block party was at Iglesia Bautista Manantial de Vida. Many of the children from Bible School participated and at the invitation some of those children made professions of faith. Eight people in all indicated that they were following Christ as Savior for the first time. But this service was about more than evangelism. Omar invited all who felt a need to come to the altar and pray. Many deeper commitments to Christ were made. The altar area was full of people including several of our own.
Afterwards, we had a time of praise to God. It was sweet. As one person said, "We had church!"
Thursday's party was in a colonia at the home of the Trevino family. This was where our construction team spent the better part of 3 days. This was an evangelistic outreach, pure and simple. Being away from the church and having everything outdoors, it presented a number of logistical challenges. But our team handled it. Nary a discouraging word was heard about flies, mosquitoes, constant noise, dust, or anything else. After the movie, Omar asked people to make a first time commitment to Christ. When Pastor invited those who accepted Christ to come forward 12 children and adults stepped out. We are all amazed at the power of God's Spirit to work despite all the distractions.
After ice cream was passed out, a terrific evening was capped off with a prayer of blessing for the Trevino home. Our construction team along with several others from the FBC mission team gathered in a circle with the family and prayed that God would bless their new home. There were many tears and hugs from everyone. After a bit more work this family will be able to move from very humble quarters to a brand new home. They felt blessed but so did our construction team. They experienced the truth that it is more blessed to give than recieve.
There is a real sense in which this whole experience has been about the blessings of giving. All of our team has given freely of themselves and God has used them to make a difference, both now and forever.
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