Saturday, July 12, 2008

Jesus Wept

John 11:35 is the shortest verse in the Bible. It talks of Jesus' reaction to the death of Lazarus before he brought him back from the dead. Several of us lost our innocence today, and will never be the same, having a much greater appreciation of the abundance God gives us. In our pre-mission training, there was a section that talked of the grief frequently experienced when you leave after a short term mission, that a part of your heart is left behind. For several of us, that started happening today. If I remember correctly what Bob told us yesterday, Paraguay has the second lowest level of Christianity in Latin America. We've seen a lot in just a short time.

During VBS today, Forest, one of the pastors, did a slide show using pictures I shot of VBS yesterday. The joy and reaction of the kids to the slide show had two of the ladies and I in tears. Thankfully, Brenda came along and pulled us away to get ready for youth group at the San Lorenzo church, and a ladies cell group that half the team was visiting.

We did face paintings for most of the kids at VBS today, then Brenda shot a Polaroid photo, and we glued the pictures on a commemorative backing sheet. The kids really enjoyed this. Some even had to have two, like this boy who had a rocket and a mustache/goatee.


Like many artists who do self portraits, aspiring artist Josiah did a self face painting.


VBS is held in the lot adjacent to the Boston's home that the church uses for Owanas club. Here's a shot of the lot. Several months ago, they brought in several truckloads of dirt and planted the grass in the lot.


Across the street, the chickens are coming home to roost. This neighborhood is one of the better ones in the area with an improved road, as you can see on the bottom of this picture. Most of the roads in the area are dirt, main thoroughfares are asphalt, and this road is broken rock over a sand base, ensuring it drains in heavy rains. Think a really rough cobblestone road.


The VBS was put on by two young pastors and their wifes. Here is Pastor Forest and his wife Sarah.


Pastor Marcos on the far right, leading the kids in a song.


Lorena, the wife of Pastor Marcos, sharing a bible story with the kids.


In addition to the slide show, face painting, story and songs, the kids also had fun doing games again today. Here they are in a tire rolling relay, with the tires nearly as big as some of the kids.


This evening Jenn, Dominique and I worked with the youth (Jr. High - College) at San Lorenzo church, and shared our testimonies. I had writer's block and drew a blank on a short testimony the youth would relate to, then after listening to Bob talk about what he was preaching on, came up with a relevant testimony. It worked as a great segway, with Bob tying back to it at least half a dozen times during his sermon. God delivers what we need, just when it's needed.

Susan, Fran and Lisa went to a ladies cell group (small group) and shared their testimonies as well. At least one of the women connected, wanting to bring a friend to meet with Susan and have Susan share her story with her friend.

1 comment:

JJG said...

Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; (KJV)