It was very windy first thing this morning. The breeze usually blows stronger in the evening, but today, it got a very early start. Maybe it will stay with us and keep us cool today.
Susan had the morning devotion. She reminded us about God's unconditional love, no matter what our sins or imperfections are. We tend to beat ourselves up over our faults and failures, but God always overlooks the negatives and sees the positives in our lives. Isn't that a blessing and a comfort? To know that there is that kind of love and acceptance for us? Let's face it...even we aren't that forgiving..... but don't we all really want to be? Deep down, don't you wish you could see yourself, and others, as God does? Perfect creatures, easily forgiven. Often we do and say things that our friends, family, or strangers may hold against us... or hold us accountable for. Maybe God does see those things, but he doesn't hold the negative over our heads. He does not remember our sins, he cherishes the good. Jesus died for our sins, so God can see the good in us. Granted, He may not like some of what we do, just like we don't always like everything our loved ones and friends do, but God loves us anyway. Hallelujah. He forgives us because it pleases Him. Thank you Lord for your unconditional love!!
Reid attended the men's meeting last night in the newly completed space. It was wonderful to hear the music and singing upstairs as we had dinner. Reid said that the pastor told the group of how we raise money to be able to come here and help the church. Now this church (Fuente de Gracia) is planning a trip to Nicaragua to help a church in need there. This is a praise report and a prayer request. It's also another testament to that 'ripple effect' we talked some about the other day. It's sort of a 'pay it forward' kind of thing.
We will be doing as much work on the ceiling tile framing as we can today and tomorrow. We only completed one section yesterday, and hope to have at least one more done today. It's difficult work as it is in top of the sanctuary ceiling, everything is overhead, and it's sort of like 'high wire' work. The scaffolding is fairly primitive so we are having to be extra careful and take our time. It's all good though. We also have another project for the day. A wall was taken down between two small Sunday school rooms to make a larger one. This is another room where floor tile is being installed. We were able to get the walls painted and the wooden doors cleaned, sanded and coated with the first layer of polyurethane. It was another productive day, and I suspect the children will be using the new, larger classroom next weekend. (this Sunday, the entire church service will be held at the beach, with family picnics afterwards.)
Wanda gave the devotion this evening. She talked to us about being the body of Christ, and the importance of every part of the body. You know, we've mentioned this in the past, but we all believe that our teams are hand picked by God each year. We have maintained a certain core group who have been with all of the 4 teams so far, and we've had some people come and go from year to year, but each year, the team is perfectly assembled for the job we've been called to do. Each person on the team has a special talent or gift that is needed to make up the whole. We are as one, as is the body of Christ. We are all like pieces of a puzzle that would be incomplete with one of us missing. We have all been blessed with different gifts, God given gifts. We have all been called to minister to each other with those gifts.
I know that some of you reading this have been nudged by God to join the team. I pray that you will answer the call when it is right for you. If it has been bugging you, like it did me, for a few years now... ask yourself if it's time. Remember what we've already talked about, God will provide. Listen to that call, be bold. Step out of your comfort zone and see what awaits you. You will be blessed. I feel certain that you will not regret it.
A couple of the ladies in our group were fortunate to be able to make a special visit today. One of the ladies who takes such good care of us has a mother who is bed bound. The ladies went to visit and help provide basic care for the mother in order to give our friend a reprieve for one morning. The mother's name is Olga and she is 74 years old. Arthritis has effected her feet to the point that she cannot walk anymore. We would appreciate your prayers for both Olga and her daughter. Providing care for an elderly parent is not always an easy task, and the resources available here are not nearly as abundant as we have at home.
I was asked to describe a typical day of meals for you so here goes. Some of you have seen the photos posted on the church Facebook page, or you've seen some of the food photos that family and friends have sent.
Breakfast usually consists of scrambled eggs (with garlic and onions), fresh bread from the local bakery, black or red beans, rice, fresh watermelon, cantaloupe and pineapple.
Lunch is usually a 'stew type' dish that contains beans, carrots, sometimes yucca, potatoes and chicken. Also we almost always have a fresh salad with cucumbers, tomatoes and beets with a light lemon and salt dressing. In addition to this we have beans and rice and sometimes bread.
Supper is often much like lunch. Last night we had fried porkchops and tonight we had fried fish.
Every meal we have had has been lovingly prepared and eagerly anticipated by us all. We have been well cared for and if we had not worked hard enough to sweat some of the food off, we'd all be as big as houses.
The list is long tonight, and our scripture references for today are:
Isaiah 43:4
Isaiah 43:25
1 Corinthians 12:12-27
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