Day Five

We had another awesome day! We did not have to hike as much today, but we drove pretty far in the mountains to get to this village. Each day is different from the rest, with new experiences and blessings. There were people from other villages that joined us today. Some walked 1 1/2 hours just to join us today. That is uphill, in the heat!!! How many of us are willing to do that.

It took awhile for people to come join us, so while we were waiting we first visited the Kindergarten school, then we went up the mountain to the Primary school. It consisted of two rooms (1st - 3rd and 4th - 6th). There was a teacher for each room. One was in his thirties. The teacher for the 4th - 6th grade students was 14! That is no typo...14. We got there as they were about to eat lunch. Moms from the village take turns making lunch for all the students. Each it is rice, beans, and homemade tortillas. We almost got in line.

By the time we got back down the hill the villagers were gathered for our meetings. Jase talked for awhile and then we sang. Afterwards Sidney asked if they could sing to us and they did. Noe, one of the boys from that village who has been with us everyday then told a Bible story. Mark, Aine, Sidney, Kameran, and Christin took the young people to another spot and taught them the three songs. Their favorite was "Sanctuary". (And Feliz Navidad!) The students picked it up pretty quickly. While they were doing that, Jase, Jaclyn, Baylee, Dillon, and I stayed with the adults and told a Bible story. I read the story, Marci interpreted it, and Jaclyn, Baylee, and Dillon acted it out. Jase then explained the story.

When we all gathered back together the youth sang for the group. It was so beautiful! Aine has been videoing the singing, so we are looking forward to letting our church see God working through these youth. One of the men in our group, Eguardo, then preached, and another youth from another village (1 1/2 hours away) told a Bible story. Eguardo then told us the villagers wanted us to pray for their youth. Here is the most amazing part of the day...

We gathered around the students and laid our hands on them. We all then began praying out loud AT THE SAME TIME! It was not a distraction, it was a blessing! To be asked by those people to pray for their students was a very humbling experience.

When we finished praying Marci, one of our interpreters, told me the villagers also want us to pray for their medical clinic. They have one, but they do not have anyone to take care of the people. No doctor will come there, and they do not have a nurse either. No sooner were the words out of her mouth than a young boy came to the group and showed us his finger. It had been mashed this morning in a door at school. It was split from one side of his nail to the other and split about halfway down his finger. Audrey is a nurse, so she was able to clean it and dress it, but he was in great need of stitches. His father agreed to let us take him into town to the clinic there. His father rode with him. He had five stitches in his finger, plus an antibiotic shot. The dad and son were going to take the bus back and walk to the village. I cannot imagine what would have happened if we had not been there today. God's timing is truly amazing!

Please pray for the youth of that village. They seem very eager to learn, and Satan does not want that to happen. Also pray that someone will feel called to work in the clinic in that village. One more request tonight...Jaclyn doesn't feel well and we need prayers for her recovery.

We love you all!

Team Two