Yesterday afternoon, as always, the Chispas team stampeded out of opening assembly toward the bus that would take us to the games. Have you ever seen those documentaries with the antelopes moving in a pack toward the same direction? Well, that's basically what it was. But, thank God, we all made it in the bus. On the ride there, the leaders who needed to be standing were flopped about everywhere which just made it all the more fun. Plus, 80 energy-filled kids screaming at the top of their lungs hanging out the windows of the bus is an event in itself.
So we get to game time, and it all officially begins. Tossing colored bags, running around, each kid cheering for his team's color: a beautiful sight to contemplate. For my part, I was helping the blue team cheer and guide them in what to do. Sadly, in the last couple of games, they had been losing. But at one point they finally got first place. The smile and the shout of victory from the winner's face was the first domino to start the chain reaction of explosive excitement. I was as excited as they were. And from all the jumping and screaming and laughing and happiness, they all came rushing at me in one gigantic group hug. I don't have time right now to describe the whole experience, but I will just say that if David Sharits hadn't caught me, I would've gone face first into the concrete floor. But it was amazing. 😁
Sarah Abigail Del Monte
Thursday, June 30, 2016
Wednesday, June 29, 2016
Wednesday!
We had another awesome day here in hot Honduras. Everyone hunted for treasures this morning at a market nearby our hostel. We had 180 kids show up today, but also had 75 name tags not claimed. This week is carnival and there was something special for the kids today. The Nationals think that they will be back tomorrow. We hope so.
This is the happiest VBS's I think we have ever done. The kids are absolutely loving it! They have been very attentive and pretty well behaved. We are all falling in love with them. They cheer and shout like wild banshees on the bus ride to the park. They seem to love us too and one kid or another is always hugging on one of us. I've not seen the wild and totally enthusiastic cheering at game time to this degree before. We have a huge parent and toddler section during opening assembly and they are laughing along with their kids. Senior Loco is again a favorite. Today the kids were calling for him before we asked them too.
Pastor Sam lead a city policeman to the lord today during the wild and crazy game time. Our game people looked over and saw them praying and when the policeman opened his eyes he looked so happy!
It seems the entire class of 60-70 Llamas has trusted Christ. They are telling us they have not understood before and do now. I have sensed since day one here that this was a very special fertile field. Where sometimes we are combatting the "I'm going to Heaven because I'm good". Here they just seem more ignorant of any Biblical teaching. One girl came with a baby and we told her the baby couldn't stay. And she sincerely said, but I want to learn more about Jesus. Well, what could we do?
A few of us are catching some type of scratchy throat and head aches. Would appreciate your prayers for our quick recovery. There is a wonderful sense of comrardery among our team and we are sweating buckets, working really hard and lovin it all! Well, maybe not the sweat.
Today the hostel housekeeper allowed us to take her 5 year old daughter with us. It was special to see her come back with her crown from crafts and her loot bag. Our bus drivers son Isaac is having a grand ole time. We gave him a VBS shirt and today Austin bought him a black cowboy hat as Isaac had liked the one he wore for a skit. He wore it all day today.
Even more amazing has been God holding off the ever present afternoon dark rain clouds until we are done at 6:00 p.m. It absolutely poured late last night. We wondered if all our plastic sheeting decorations would have fallen down, but they didn't. I have been praying for six months about this. With only two small rooms for the church building rain would make things really challenging.
The pastors wife brought us a delicious mango dessert for our lunch today. Yum!
This is the happiest VBS's I think we have ever done. The kids are absolutely loving it! They have been very attentive and pretty well behaved. We are all falling in love with them. They cheer and shout like wild banshees on the bus ride to the park. They seem to love us too and one kid or another is always hugging on one of us. I've not seen the wild and totally enthusiastic cheering at game time to this degree before. We have a huge parent and toddler section during opening assembly and they are laughing along with their kids. Senior Loco is again a favorite. Today the kids were calling for him before we asked them too.
Pastor Sam lead a city policeman to the lord today during the wild and crazy game time. Our game people looked over and saw them praying and when the policeman opened his eyes he looked so happy!
It seems the entire class of 60-70 Llamas has trusted Christ. They are telling us they have not understood before and do now. I have sensed since day one here that this was a very special fertile field. Where sometimes we are combatting the "I'm going to Heaven because I'm good". Here they just seem more ignorant of any Biblical teaching. One girl came with a baby and we told her the baby couldn't stay. And she sincerely said, but I want to learn more about Jesus. Well, what could we do?
A few of us are catching some type of scratchy throat and head aches. Would appreciate your prayers for our quick recovery. There is a wonderful sense of comrardery among our team and we are sweating buckets, working really hard and lovin it all! Well, maybe not the sweat.
Today the hostel housekeeper allowed us to take her 5 year old daughter with us. It was special to see her come back with her crown from crafts and her loot bag. Our bus drivers son Isaac is having a grand ole time. We gave him a VBS shirt and today Austin bought him a black cowboy hat as Isaac had liked the one he wore for a skit. He wore it all day today.
Even more amazing has been God holding off the ever present afternoon dark rain clouds until we are done at 6:00 p.m. It absolutely poured late last night. We wondered if all our plastic sheeting decorations would have fallen down, but they didn't. I have been praying for six months about this. With only two small rooms for the church building rain would make things really challenging.
The pastors wife brought us a delicious mango dessert for our lunch today. Yum!
He uses the weak
One of my biggest insecurities is having to do something that I know I am not perfect at or confident at doing. Before this week I would say "I don't speak Spanish", when in reality, I can speak Spanish, I am just NOT confident in my own skills. I feared that the natives would be upset that I spoke silly. I am awed by Gods greatness and humbled by my nothingness. I have been forced to take a step of faith and depend on God as I communicate with the natives- and the natives have been SO gracious and sweet about my silly Spanish. God doesn't call us to do what we are perfect at, He calls us to serve Him in an area that is going to keep us dependent on Him for the purpose of growing our faith and bringing glory to his name. This week I have been very dependent on God in speaking Spanish to share the gospel and further His kingdom.
Something sweet: one of the little girls asked me in Spanish "how do you say I love you in English" I told her her how to say it in English and she said "oh, I love you"
Something funny:
A little boy told me that my hair smelled like "dirt", when I looked at him he had a sweet smile on his face. I thought maybe I misunderstood the word he used. Later that day I was bending over and he ran up to me and hugged my neck and kissed my cheek. Yep, I misunderstood what he said.
Something sweet: one of the little girls asked me in Spanish "how do you say I love you in English" I told her her how to say it in English and she said "oh, I love you"
Something funny:
A little boy told me that my hair smelled like "dirt", when I looked at him he had a sweet smile on his face. I thought maybe I misunderstood the word he used. Later that day I was bending over and he ran up to me and hugged my neck and kissed my cheek. Yep, I misunderstood what he said.
Gods using this team to impact the people and He is using this mission to impact the team! Please keep praying that we stay healthy and focused on the reason why we are here.
Christie Benavides
The Gospel is Powerful in Every Language!
Day 6 proved to be an excellent day! Praise the Lord for once again holding off the rain until after the day was done, the kids had gone for the day and we were packed and cleaned up. And most importantly, praise Him for his goodness in working through everyone on our team to reach the Honduran children again today. In just one group of Ositos, more than a dozen children raised their hands that they prayed to receive Christ as their Savior today. I feel blessed to be a part of this trip and serving the people of Honduras. God is GOOD!!
T.R.
T.R.
new believers
I am having a great time with the kids. Two kids have trusted in the Lord. One of the kids asked if there was church on Wednesday night so he and his Mom can come. We said yes. That was excitng to hear. So please pray for parents night tomorrow.
Tina
Tina
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)