I do not have anything in the way of descriptions for today’s photos.
Nigel told me via texts that they finished the fence project today.
He also told me that he and his host family’s son, Juan Carlos, have been enjoying games of Jenga and playing soccer in the evenings. He says the food is good and he is having a great time.
Our pastor and wife took and shared a LOT of photos today.
My personal favorite is the one Tiffany sent me just before I went to bed. This is Nigel and his friend Gunnar on a prayer walk in Carpio. The man in chartreuse is our Worship pastor, and former piano teacher.
D.L. (pastor) explained that our team of 25 separated into four smaller groups for the morning to serve in different areas. Three members of the team took part in a women’s retreat. A couple of members worked on painting a new logo for the CFCI ministry center. Another group worked on a construction project at the CFCI ministry center. And another group ministered along side Ticos to run a children’s program for 85 children. And that was just in the morning.
After lunch the team cleaned up from the morning ministries and went on a prayer walk. During this walk they visited families that Pastor Christian ministers to frequently. They prayed for needs in their families. The last family they visited was another Pastor that Pastor Christian knows, named Alejandro. Alejandro’s son, who worked with his father has a worship pastor, was murdered just a couple of months ago. D.L. reports that team members’ hearts collectively broke for this man and his family.
As they went on the prayer walk they needed to cross this bridge one at a time.
In Carpio, they passed out some of the 1000 dresses they took from the Dress-A-Girl ministry here in Rochester. Dress-A-Girl brought 10 suitcases with 100 dresses each to our church last month for distribution in Carpio. To God be the glory!!!
D.L. explains that as they were completing their walk Brady offered to reach the high places on this painting project for the woman.
Team leader, D.L. Walter provided more images at the end of Day 2.
It sounds like the gentlemen in the group worked to help with construction-type projects while the ladies assisted in women’s and children’s ministries.
I know these images are not in order, because I know some are from morning worship. But I’m not sure exactly which order they DO go in, so I will just leave them like this.
I’m excited for the members of this team. It’s just so awesome to have time to focus on other people. I know that sounds funny, especially in our culture where we are so aware of our personal busyness and are always hearing how we have to carve out “me time.” In fact, I think way to often most of us are constantly aware of just how many more minutes until we have more “me time.” I love that a short-term missions trip like this encourages participants to just totally focus on what can be done in Jesus’ Name. Their host families and the ministry is taking care of meal provision. That means these workers can get up in the morning. Get ready. And GO. Go and DO.
I’m in awe of how it all comes together.
And I’m so glad Nigel could go and do.
This one is like a VBS-style or sidewalk-club style children’s ministry.
Lunch for women and children in the neighborhood.
I think this is morning worship/devotion time.
They are enjoying magic tricks despite language barriers.
D.L. preaching.
I read that these guys put in a hard day of work. Praise God for young men, strong muscles, and willing hearts!
Nigel doing, um, something…. ♥
1 Peter 4:10
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace
Marie was up before anyone else. She emptied the dishwasher and fed her little sisters and got some coffee. She’s a do-er.
Nan picked her up at 11:30 and took her to Longhorn for lunch, and to Glow Golf and then back to her house for a while.
Back at home?
WE PREPARED HER SURPRISE PARTY!
Friends arrived at 4:00 P.M. in anticipation of Marie’s 4:30 P.M. arrival.
I wish I had great shots of her surprise, but our camera suddenly stopped working for Stewart, and I accidently filmed in slow motion.
I invited them to the table for dinner, which we served in courses on China.
In lieu of gifting, I asked guests to consider bringing some art work of their own for her to keep.
I had a lovely craft planned, and ordered oil-based Sharpies on Amazon Prime on 7/6 and they were decidedly NOT here in 2 days. (It’s the third time this year Prime failed me… I’m counting Amazon!)
We pulled out Bible Apples-to-Apples and Ella won.
And enjoyed Oreo Cheesecake and ice cream.
Markers arrived and the girls decorated mugs.
I love these ladies.
And so does Marie.
Packing started slowly…
But we managed to get Nigel (and other team members) to the Buffalo airport by 5:00 A.M.
(photo credit K.Petrucci)
The team’s leader, Pastor D.L.Walter provided a quick note and a few images at the end of their very long travel day.
The team:
Some instruction.
Outside ministry headquarters.
The team members each went with their host families where they will lodge for the duration. Nigel is rooming with his friend Dom.
Acts 1:8 – But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
It started to become obvious that our planned three-family-meet-up-in-Wyoming-road-trip wasn’t going to go off as planned as Family A moved over seas, and Family B scheduled a different trip for about the same time.
Then the roof started to leak.
So – travel monies went to the roof.
It got loud…
and ugly
It’s a little bit busy here these days.
We had exactly one evening where we could celebrate our July birthdays with grandparents.
Of course I forgot to take many pictures.
In October 2013 we said goodbye to our friends as they moved to Oregon for a “temporary” two-year assignment. We saw them in 2014 when they were home for a visit, and in 2015 we went to see them on our Road Trip.
We did not have any visits in 2016, and that makes this current reunion all the sweeter.
Their trip “home” is not over, and we hope to have more time with them. I feel like a sponge when we are together, as I try to “soak up” as much of them as I can. I keenly remember Jenn’s phone call in 2013, and the secret I kept for most of that day as we waited to hear if it was really happening. And I will likely never forget having to tell the kids the next morning and their subsequent reactions.
Saying goodbye is still in front of us. I’m not looking forward to that. And as we are approaching the four year mark of a two-year assignment, we are learning to count time together differently.
Acts 1:7 – He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.
Our dear friend, William, turned ten this year and celebrated with a birthday party at Dave and Buster’s. All the kids were invited and we had a lot of fun.
Stewart and Mr. Hoyt…
Tab and Marie…
Katriel and Johanna.
Tab, and Sophia W….
Marie and Nigel
I lost track of how many times these three raced on Mario Karts.
My sweet friend, Marguerite. She is such a blessing to me!!
Dayspring Disciples 