love's overflow

Today was our last day to minister on the streets of Fragata as we have been building up all week to the service that took place here tonight. We encountered pretty much everything from a brothel where a guy greeted us in a towel to being challenged with difficult questions like the problem of human suffering and where is God in the midst of all this. The great news is that the good news is always in season for whoever is willing to accept it and in one home we went to we saw three ladies trust Christ; Shirley, Narcisa and Melanie, a young mother of a one month old that Sharron was thrilled to hold and rock while we shared and prayed. Lucie, Sharron and I teamed up with Pastor Gustavo and a young man from the local church with his two daughters while Lynn was joined by Anita and other team members.

We don't always see people come to Jesus and were turned away at times. I shared my testimony to three guys, Giovanni, David and Dany and while they understood the gospel they were not ready to make that kind of commitment today. At one little convience stop...most people run them on the front end of their ...we prayed and saw a young lady, Jennifer pray to accept Jesus. Another lady was overhearing us and she prayed as well, her name was Vicki. We handed out flyers for the service and Pastor Gustavo was always ready just to even pray for people if they liked, only a few turned that down.

We had a late lunch of pasta and chicken and then my siesta was interrupted by Pastor Victor who picked me up for volleyball at the church. Pastor Walter came out of his office with his shorts, knee pads, black socks and was ready to play...it was Victor, Alvarilo and me against Walter and Victor's son, Christian. Well, needless to say, I thought it would be a walk in the park for us but Walter impressed me with his 'mad skills' and they put a beating on us winning three straight games....The game is played a little differently here as the net is much higher and they set the ball longer than we do with almost just a hold. It is hard to explain, but they had our number...

After a hearty soup for supper, we were off to San Ignacio again and we brought clothes for Ratulio's grandchildren...9 in all and realize that we still needed to return to bring more but it was like Christmas for the children and it was a thrill to bless them with our clothes as well as a soccer ball that we brought earlier in the day.

The actual service was a decent attendance and we sang, sat with the kids and listened to some serious 'throw it down' preaching...it was intense. We caught some of it and Pastor Russell was speaking to the fact that the Lord is their strength, their provider, their everything.

After, Pastor Luis brought us up and asked me to share and so I challenged the church to be a great lighthouse in a dark place full of violence, drugs etc...and that the enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy. So, bring the light, the hope, the purpose and meaning to this place so hungry for something so much more...

After it was time to be a human jungle gym to the kids and we made paper airplanes and just loved on them... and they clinged to us saying mayana, mayana. They want us back and I hope to visit one more time. There is a very special place in our heart especially for Ratulio's extended family for sure.