Mexico Trip - Day 10

Today began with a little confusion as to what we were going to do. Most of the jobs were completed, so we did not have a lot to do. However, on our list of items to accomplish were a number of jobs that we were waiting for rain to do. Wouldn't you know, the last day, and it's raining. Actually, as Ruth has reminded us, it has been raining all around the church during our stay, but God had placed “an umbrella” over Dios Es Amor church for the time we were there. Now, with basically inside jobs left, God has opened the rain clouds to water the area.

We ate breakfast and broke into groups to complete the morning jobs. The bathroom was tiled, the school work was completed, Librada's home was painted, racks were hung up in the garage, and we even through in a stair between the kitchen and the sanctuary because it was needed. All of these jobs were completed by 3:00, and we ate lunch.

Following lunch, we gave gifts to the people who ministered to us all week and the children that we had grown to love. It was a wonderful time of rejoicing in what God had done in building these relationships over the past few days. We even included the masons – two of which (Sylvestre and Oscar) we knew were unsaved. We thanked the Lord for the work accomplished. Jeff gave some encouraging words to all of the workers, and especially recognized Ruth and Manuel with a financial gift to help with the ministry there.

In the afternoon, 12 of us went with Ed Ogelsby to see the property he is working on buying. It was a 100 year old farm that he would like to convert into a convention center and a number of other things. The buildings were beautiful, but they were in disrepair. It was going to take a lot to get the property ready to be used, but Ed has a vision for what God can do with the property,. We will pray that God will make it clear to him. We did have some fun on a rickety bridge and then sliding down cement slides while we were there. By the way, I did get to drive, and wouldn't you know it, this group complains about my driving too. I wonder when people are going to realize that I am an excellent driver.

The evening included another trip to the soccer fields, followed by dinner and a debriefing time. I was given an opportunity to address the group, and I told them how much I appreciated working with them. Then Jeff spoke to the group, followed by the leaders, and finally the kids. Jeremy feels that God has called him into missions as a result of the trip, as does Ben and Megan. Not sure how that is going to play out, but I know that God is doing something wonderful in their lives. Ben shared a number of things that he has seen God do this week. Rachel, Keli, Matt, Ryan, Katy, Mariah, and Levi also took the chance to say something. It was a wonderful time of rehearsing the great works of God over the week. Following this, we had a debriefing time with the team, and then encouraged them to take what they had learned and seen back with them to Pennsylvania. I pray that they do just that and bless the people at Berean Bible Church.

Officially, we went to bed at 11:30, but unofficially the guys in my room stayed up until almost 2 o'clock encouraging one another with what they had seen in them over the past week. From Levi, to Nathan, to Aaron, to Chris, to Jeremy, to Ryan, to Matt, and then even I got a turn. It was a wonderful time of hearing the men encourage the others. I pray that this effort bears much fruit in the future. Only time will tell.

Well, right now I am on the bus – it is 4:22 and actually day 11, but I am just now recording what I saw God do yesterday. I look forward to getting home in only... 17 hours!!!