Thursday

Today started early with the van leaving the hotel at 7am to visit Joel's school south of town. Joel has been one of our interpreters for the last few years with a day job of high school principal. This young man is the real deal: strong in his faith and family values; a real leader who represents what we are all about. His translating is strong, he's not afraid of physical work, and he delivers a solid message. He asked us to come to his school to see how they start their mornings. 

At 8am the kids line up by age and gender in the courtyard to raise the flag, say the pledge, listen to a piece of scripture, and then pray. Yes, scripture and praying in a large public high school! The students then sat in the stands in the basketball court while some members of the team gave messages. An impressive start to the day.

Back at HQ Pablo had a large brunch fixed (no lunch today). Empanadas, bacon, pancakes, eggs, mango, and pineapple.

Crystal and Sheila led a devotion on trust and discipleship before we had guests from Compassion. Three representatives from the district office in San Juan wanted to discuss using AMI for a future Compassion School. The interest from both parties is very high but details in building design and pastorship need to be resolved first.

Early afternoon was Dan, Nataniel, and the ladies visiting the woman's prison in Bani, a town about an hour towards the Capitol. All the girls witnessed to a very attentive audience. Meanwhile the guys met with El Hefe at the hardware store to purchase building materials and check out the progress on a couple of projects.

Supper was a big spread at Nataniel's which was in combination with his daughter Emily's birthday. Dean, Paul, and Mike did a sweet rice feeding for the children at Pastor Sandi's church; a building Paul helped build on his first trip 14 years ago. The kids sang and performed some skits.

Most of the team then met at a nearby basketball court to show the Jesus Film. The kids in attendance were a little distracted as a military helicopter needed to perform a landing in the field immediately adjacent for mechical reasons. Messages were given and worship songs sung afterwards.

Nataniel, Shawn, and Crystal went to a church service during the Jesus Film. Crystal witnessed and Shawn gave the message on Scriptual Authority. What Shawn and Crystal did not know was that this small church was in a temporary building and the team had funded a floor for their new church. The pastor stated that the team  "provided the miracle they had been praying for" so giving the message at this moment was very timely and well received. Isaiah 52:7 was the pastor's response. Very humbling; even more so when we drove the pastor home about 5 miles as she could not afford a scooter ride ($1) and often walked that distance in flip flops for the multiple services per week they have.

Back to HQ for debrief and the hotel shortly after 11:00.