Today we got back to work after a great night out in Antigua. We installed more doors, ran wire for the lights, and are ready to install the ceiling panels in house #6. We are also finishing the sanding for house #4 which is ready for paint. It is amazing to see 12 guys take multiple projects, and work together to achieve so much in a short amount of time. Having worked in construction for many years usually when you put that many guys together in a small room doing so much it can usually get ugly. It has been a joy to work with and be around these gentleman. Three of the staff here at the Oasis have had birthdays this week. So today we celebrated them all with cake made by Kyle Biggar. At lunch we sang "Happy Birthday" to them and also had some fireworks. The guys then sang "How Great Thou Art" for the girls and the staff - it was a big hit! After lunch we got back to work, but it didn't last long as the girls continued the celebrations by bringing out some Pinatas. It was a lot of fun watching the girls take their swings at them. We also handed out t-shirts to the girls that were donated to us. It was fun seeing them all wearing tie-die shirts. Late this afternoon nine of us went to visit the town of Chicaman. We took toothpaste and toothbrushes to hand out. We also had some candy to go along with them. As we started our walk up the hill we ran into the pastor of the town. Tim Oberg was showing him some magazines, and then showed him one with a picture of his church in it. He was very excited to see the picture so Tim gave him the magazine. Right after that we ran into the mother who had lost three girls last year. We told her we were praying for her and showed sympathy for her and her family. It was a very sombre moment for all of us. After that we continued up the hill and by the time we got to the top we had a good size crowd of kids following us. We took a lot of pictures, handed out the goodies and played some games with the locals. We also handed out some small booklets to the kids in Spanish with short stories about Jesus, and his love for them. It is so wonderful to see how God is working in the people of Guatemala and the love they have for Him, especially the girls here at the Oasis. We are looking forward to our final day of construction (it has gone by very fast) and helping them finish house #6. It has been great to see the progress in just one year, and the plans they have for the future. This is a safe and loving place for the girls.
Father,
ReplyDeleteMay you be with and in the team today, this final day of construction. May they get much accomplished and may they be a blessing to the staff of the Oasis as they celebrate with food and fellowship this evening.
Father will you also guide the children, so that they grow mature in you. I pray that they will be built solidly on the foundation of Jesus, and grow in your grace with a conscious sense of your presence. may they continue to be built up with your wisdom, favor, truth, love, life, faith, strength, and thankfulness.
Sounds like a great week so far! Hard to believe your time is almost up! How cool to see the school in Zapote where there were just "squatters" a few years ago...remember that family living in the shack there? Wow! Well, keep on working hard and blessing the kids and the staff and we'll keep praying. Greet Doug and Sarah for us too!
ReplyDeleteTell Dave M good job on balancing his plate on the water jug in that picture at lunch! We're impressed, Dave!
Stay strong on your last 1 1/2 days there. It will be hard to leave but it's obvious that God's hand has been blessing the people in Guatemala through you all!
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