A day in the life--Home visits & VBS

Vacation Bible School, Day 2

(Teaching: Phyllis, Larry, and Roger T.)

Lisa, Reyna, and Maddy with some of the students and volunteers of VBS.

Wilbur, Reyna, and Reyna's son David enjoying the puppets!

Temple Challenge in Nicaragua!!! (Stacy--mark it down for Lisa, Roger T., Kenny, Maddy, and Mere :)

Several of the children from VBS. You can see a few of the kids here with their new glasses. :)

A few of us after the home visits this morning.

(Larry, Tony, Sandy, Erika, Maddy, Meredith, and Phyllis)

One home visit where the matron of the home (pictured above) accepted Christ!

Kenny is driving in Nicaragua! ... but he was passed on the inside by a van and passed on the outside by a bicycle. He may be losing his touch. :)

Oto, Kenny, Juan, and Roger during a home visit. 

Sandy, Phyllis, and Larry during a home visit.

Some beautiful ladies dressed up for the day! :)

(Phyllis, Deanna, Sandy, and Sherry)

Hello, family! Today was an awesome day filled with too many amazing moments to mention here. I will do my best to hit some highlights. 

Our day started with a devotion by Roger T. He did an amazing job. He reflected on his own spiritual journey--people who made an impact in his life, family, friends, mentors, and "God moments." He quoted Philippians 2:1-2:

"Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind."

What a great couple of verses and excellent advice for the Church today. Roger T. explained he feels this verse reflects his experience in Nicaragua so far--the unity, the love, and the joy that has been present during this trip and in our family of families at home. 

After breakfast and devotion time, we set off for our home visits. During home visits, we separated into small groups and visited 1-3 homes each. The families we visited were families that have attended "cell groups" or "small groups" but have not attended church or have not yet accepted Christ. During the home visits today five individuals were saved as each one accepted Christ into their hearts and lives. One of the five returned to the church after the home visit. She did not accept Christ during the home visit... however, after the team departed, she learned that her nephew had just attempted suicide. She returned to the church seeking help, comfort, and prayer for her nephew and family. After praying with some church members and Pastor Rudolfo, she accepted Christ and seemed to carry a sense of peace. If you would like to pray for her, her nephew, and her family, feel free to pray for Gladys. 

We also learned today that God knows when and how to use each of us. Today, Sherry stepped up and shared a powerful witness during her home visit. Her awareness of God's direction and her powerful word encouraged a young man to agree to attend church this Wednesday evening. Prayers that God he will be moved by the sermon and, more importantly, by the Spirit at church Wednesday night. 

In any event, God was with us all today, and He was surely with those who accepted His good news and grace. 

Following an emotional and exciting morning, we met for lunch at Skylark. At 1:40 we left for another day of Vacation Bible School. Today we had even more children in attendance. I don't currently have exact numbers, but I do know we gained at least 15-20 more VBS students. The teachers did an awesome job! We had a puppet show, a lesson, and more crafts and snacks. 

A story from VBS you might enjoy... I (Meredith) was helping with the 2-6 year-old group. A little girl of about 3 or 4 years old, Stefani, was coloring a picture of Peter from the book of Acts. I meant to ask her in Spanish, "who is he," but I accidentally asked her, "where is he?" Assuming the man in the picture was Jesus, she put her hand over her heart and said, "En mi corazon (in my heart)." What a humbling experience... I think my own heart melted in that moment. Amen. 

Following VBS, we returned to Skylark for the evening. A few of the "dedicated" Temple Challenge participants worked out before dinner. Some walked, some ran, some did both, and others even did some ab exercises and yoga! Your body is a temple! :) 

After dinner, we had a time of reflection where we shared the events of the day--in general and also on a more personal level. It's amazing to hear how God worked in and through each person. He is good. 

Now, we are a bit tired, but ever-so-thankful for such an awesome day! We pray God was glorified through it all. As always, we are so appreciative of our 28 and our prayerful family of families at home. We love you all so dearly and we can feel the power of your prayer here. Tomorrow will be a day in need of even more prayer as we conduct a clinic for local pastors and participate in the final day of VBS. 

Blessings and love from all of us! :)

***Note: In the previous post one of Pastor Mark's lifelong dreams was finally fulfilled--he was referred to as kenny, the famous race car/Nicaraguan bus driver. Kenny was also very pleased to know he was mistaken for one who is "muy guapo!" :) My apologies for the mistaken identity in the previous post's pictures. 

1 Cor. 13:13