Finale!

Tonight I talked with Deb Freisheim, and she filled in a lot of info about the VBS. Yesterday and today there were more than 150 kids, butthey worked out a rotation for crafts, games, coloring pages, what have you, and everyone made it through the assembly line. But the team was exhausted as you can well imagine.

At the end of VBS, they brought out water balloons and the kids went crazy. It also started pouring rain, but that didn't stop the battle royale. Then they hauled out all the team members and our translators. Everyone got wet, either from the water balloons or the rain. A great wrap-up to a great week.

Warren Mehl made 150 sets of cross necklaces, and they were all given out. Thanks Warren!

The women's Bible study wrapped up today with more than 35 women, not including our six. They studied Esther, led by Sue Steege. It was excellent, and the women were very receptive. Men's Bible study went for three days and had a good turnout too.

Yesterday the team visited the school that our sponsored students attend. They got a chance to see the kids' classrooms, and many of them brought out their report cards. Pastor Jose administers this program at the Nica end and is very demanding that the kids keep up their grades, and also that the parents are responsible with the money.

The team did a lot of home visits with Pastor Jose's assistant Rolando. Over the four days they visited every house in the village, and Rolando read scripture and talked with the people, and invited them to the Bible studies, VBS, and to church services. His evangelism contributed to the wonderful turnout.

The last day of VBS is always very long, and very emotional. And busy. The water balloon fight ended around 4; then the team went out visiting one last time, and then had to get back for Bible studies. Right after that, church service began and went for two hours. I spoke to Deb at 8 pm their time, and church services were just ending. They hadn't yet eaten dinner, and then they need to pack and clean up. L-o-n-g day.

Tomorrow they go to Granada for some well deserved R&R, then home on Sunday. Praise God for a wonderful week!

Day 3

Another successful day for VBS. The lesson today was Noah, and when it came time for the flood, the team threw water ballons at the kids! Took them by complete surprise, and I think they didn't know how to react at first, but then they loved it.

As part of the project for this year, we bought ceiling fans for the church and kitchen. They really are not needed in the sleeping rooms because it does get cool at night. However, we learned that the church uses those rooms for Sunday School, so fans in those rooms may be a consideration for next year.

I promised to tell you about the "dancing." Verbo church does not believe in dancing per se, however, once a week, usually on Friday nights, they have a service of -- not sure what to call it -- dancing in the spirit for lack of a better term. They play praise music REALLY LOUD, and then as the spirit moves, so do the church members. We were there for this service last year and joined in. But I mean, it keeps up for at least an hour or more, and have I mentioned that it's HOT in Nicaragua? So ... the ceiling fans will be most welcome.

One more day of VBS to go! This week really has been flying by.

Report -- Day 2

The Lord continues to bless (I think!). 140 kids today. The hardest tasks are crowd control and where to put them all for crafts, but we figure if He sends them, He'll make a way. Butch and Ellen were Adam and Eve. I hope Chris got it all on tape :-)

A second blessing is the attendance at the men's and women's Bible studies. There were about 10 men today, which is amazing because men don't do much like that in the village. They are not used to opening up and sharing, a cultural thing, but Chuck is doing a great job with trying to draw them out. Women's Bible study had more than 25 women! This is a big increase over even last year's numbers for both groups.

Today is Father's Day in Nicaragua (yes, even third-world countries have Hallmark moments), and the women's Bible study made a cake for the men. Very nice.

Weather continues hot; the challenge is to stay hydrated. Still, everyone continues healthy, if beat.

Ladies brought around needlework today, so we'll have fresh items in church in addition to the things people have ordered.

Report -- Day 1

Hot. VBS was off to a rousing start, with 120 kids! With a start like that, it's easy to think they may surpass the 150 that was estimated. Butch did a great job pulling props together for the skits. The kids and adults all loved it.

Bible studies started well too. But everyone is totally exhausted from the number of kids and the heat.

Yesterday it started raining around 2 pm and rained until well after bed time. It was actually really chilly during the night. But today was sunny and hot, and tonight the stars are out.

Praise God for the turnout; pray for strength, stamina, good moods, cheerfulness, and energy for the team.

Sunday PM

Hi All,

Talked with Chris Sunday afternoon. It was an early morning for everyone -- awake at 5 am! Church service with lots of singing, then working on craft materials in preparation for Monday, then church again at 5 pm.

Verbo Church in Santa Maria is much different from ours. It's basically a LOT of praise and worship singing, then some prayers, then Pastor Jose gives a message (and Mark, it's not timed :-) ). Then more singing. There are a few ladies who "lead" the singing up on the stage. May I just say with all Christian love that what they lack in talent and pitch they make up in volume and energy. Truly a JOYFUL NOISE to the Lord. A few years ago, in what seemed a good idea at the time, we brought them a sound system with amplifiers. So now it's not only joyful, it's LOUD. The whole congregation joins in as they use all familiar and much-loved songs. Once a week they have a "dancing in the spirit" service, but more on that later.

Chris says there were a lot of kids in church, so VBS should be very full.

Food has been good too. In addition to the staple of rice and beans, Saturday night they had spaghetti with chicken, and Sunday's dinner was stew with lots of fresh vegetables. Really, the Donas are wonderful cooks, and if you saw what they turn out with the facilities they have, you would be amazed.

Everyone is well and enthusiastic. The weather is hot, with rain late afternoon or night, but by God's grace the electricity and water are all working. Ron Fell is happy to hear his dog is doing fine :-)

Sunday morning

Team got unpacked and set up last night, and had a good night's sleep. Today's activities include church and then home visits. Still very hot. But sunny, which we can all appreciate :-)

The Team Has Arrived!

Tea m landed -- about 1-1/2 hours late, but still, they're there safely and in one piece. Cleared immigration and Customs without losing a single team member! As we speak they are their way to Santa Maria. They should arrive around 5 pm their time. It gets dark early there, so they'll have just enough time to unpack sheets and get the mosquito netting secured. Then a hearty dinner of rice and beans!

It's HOT and HUMID, but no rain at the moment.

Thanks be to God for safe travel and landing. Stay tuned for updates.