Today was another day of work projects at LOL. I spent the majority of the morning at the front gate/guard house digging an irrigation trench. At first I was excited about the idea of playing in the dirt, that is until Dan and Dustin warned me to watch out for scorpions, which apparently live under ground. After that the dirt wasn't nearly as inviting.
I enjoyed working with others on the team, laughing and talking as we worked. We also were able to get to know the security guard, Anthony, while we were working. To know Anthony is to like him. He is a wonderful man of God, former soldier, and aspiring pastor. His smile greets everyone entering into LOL. Anthony also helped us with the trench by directing our digging and chopping away roots with a machete.
After lunch we went back to sanding the frames for the screens. The guys fabricated up a partial new frame for the screens to hopefully prevent them tearing again and give them some more strength to hold up to excited kids.
Lucy, one of the dogs at LOL dressed up in a costume I brought down for her:
While sanding we got to get to know 1 of the kids at LOL that was helping with the project. I was surprised at how much he has grown up and calmed down since last year. He was amazingly helpful with the project and showed great initiative in working without constant direction.
Our evening was spent in the village of Sundaywood, which is about an hour-ish away. Sundaywood is a village made up of Mayan decendants. Their primary language is called Q'eqchi' and sounds a bit like the Native American dialects mixed with Spanish. The native religion of the area is partially based upon their Mayan heritage with some blending from other cultures that have inhabited the area.
We were treated to dinner there by the villagers. Our hosts opened up their home to us and prepared a wonderful meal for us. To invite 16 extra people into your home and feed them dinner is a huge act of hospitality. I found myself convicted sitting there about opening my home up more to others and of my own need to learn and practice hospitality even more.
Our meal consisted of a broth like soup, with chicken in it and a potato like root called cassava, along side fresh made corn tortillas. They also served their version of coffee which was warmed water with ground cocoa beans in it that I loved!
While we were eating kids were peaking in the doors to watch us and wave at us. A few of them were braver and talked to us. We teased the kids about having jaguars in their house (pet cats), which they thought was funny.
Following dinner we went to church. To get to the church we had to walk down the road from the house about and then traverse across a log bridge. (A local child walked with us to church and was warning us about avoiding the puddles, which he proceeded to wade straight through. Kids love of puddles truly transcends culture and location!) There had been a lot of talk about this bridge prior to the trip so I knew that it was coming. I still was nervous about crossing it anyways, and Jeff's jumping on the log behind me sure didn't help!
The team crossing the bridge:
At the church we had a little bit of time to visit outside while awaiting someone from the church to arrive to start their generator. We were able to use the time to take a few pictures as well as to talk. I was not aware of what we were waiting on at the time and thought that someone was getting ready to ride through the jungle on a dirt bike when the generator started. HAHAHA
Peter sharing his testimony:
Upon entering the church we learned that it was segregated seating, so the guys sat on the right side of the church and the girls on the left. For church service some of the guys got up and shared their testimony with the congregation. The pastor over the churches in this area served as our translator. Pastor Dan preached for the evening. While he was preaching the little kids behind me became fascinated by my hair and were taking turns touching it and playing with it. They kept trying to be sneaky so I wouldn't notice.
Kyle sharing his testimony:
I was greatly amused seeing Dustin with the locals. The average height there is around 5' ish, and Dustin being over 6' tall looked much taller sitting next to them. I was able to spend the ride there sitting by Dustin. He brings such a peace to every place he goes. I was so grateful that he was there with us this entire trip! His stability and humor were a perfect addition to our team and the trip wouldn't have been the same without him.
Pastor Dan Preaching:
Following the church service our team had the opportunity to gather together and pray for each other. We prayed calling forth purpose, destiny, greatness, and calling in others on the team. I loved being able to bless my teammates in this way. I pray that they will carry that moment in their hearts forever.
I wanted to end this post by sharing a note from my journal from this day about where I am now:
"I want more of God for myself. I feel that I so badly need a catapult forwards. I don't want to remain where I am. I don't want to stay stuck where I am. I don't even want slow steady growth. I want the fullness of God. I want to go as deep as possible with God. I want all of God."
No comments:
Post a Comment