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 :-)