A VERY Special Sunday

Today began with a service at Nazaret Church - entirely in Spanish. While I'll admit understanding very little of what was being said, the music was amazing and the presence of our Lord was quite evident. The service was paused for about 10 minutes so all of the members could greet us individually with hugs and kisses on the cheek. It was really an amazing experience.

After church was "Get Acquainted Day" with the kids...barbecue, football (soccer), "Games by Randy Moselle" and conversation. It was an incredible thing to experience and a memory I will always treasure. I'm quite certain several of us are going to be experiencing pain in muscles we'd forgotten we had...

Day one the girls were a little more shy around those of us who are new here. Today they really opened up to all of us. I've hugged, held, teased and just generally loved on more kids than I can even count.

A thought that just keeps constantly coming to my mind is just what a dichotomy is experienced here. Beautiful countryside with soaring volcanos and beautiful scenery...alongside decrepit buildings, roads and abject poverty. The Oasis is a beautiful place with the hand of the Lord clearly at work...with much of the surrounding countryside under clear dominion of the enemy. And most amazingly, the incredibly sad stories of the girls here. These girls have experienced more sadness and pain during the all-important formative years of their lives...and yet their genuine joy, love and hope is beautiful. Their smiles are genuine. Their hugs are strong. The sparkle in their eyes is heart warming.

All I can say is thank you Jesus for the opportunity to be here. Thank you that we could be here for you. Thank you that we could be a part of bringing you into these girl's lives. And Lord, thank you for the incredibly special gift of precious little Laura's kiss on the cheek this evening. It's a memory I will always cherish.

Chris