FIELD TRIP! -You may remember, last August, praying about the van (now a school bus) that was donated to the school. The Director (Don Carlos), recently got permission from the government to take the kids on their 1st field trip ever , on April 1st (no foolin’… ha-ha-ha!)! For almost all of the children, this 2 hour drive to Tulum, was the farthest away from their homes that they had ever traveled! They had a great afternoon visiting the ruins and learning about their own culture. Imagine how exciting it must have been to walk on that soft, cool sand and step into the ocean and SPLASH away! Don’t you just love “first-times”!
Vacation Bible School Week with Vonda was off the charts! With her organization abilities, some Spanish skills, and a strong passion to work with kids, she captured their attention every day! Each day, they knew there would be Bible stories, creative activities, Spanish worship songs for kids & games (it was the 1st time they ever played “chicken-chicken-turkey”, which is the Mayan version of “duck-duck-goose”! They also had a blast experiencing their 1st “Easter/Resurrection egg hunt” – FUN!) . At the same time, this program was so diverse, that they stayed on their toes with anticipation. In fact, we sent invitations to the homes, saying that the first group would start at 1:30 p.m. and after the first day of fun, they began arriving BEFORE us! We had 20 to 50 children between ages 3 and 14, at any given time. P.T. L. for the help from Gabi & Tere, two young adults from the village! Once again, they did a fantastic job translating for us!
Let me share a few highlights of the week with you: first of all, seeing about 45 pairs of little hands go up, when we asked , “Who wants to go to heaven someday to live with Jesus forever?” that was the BEST! When I told them that the angels were celebrating in heaven, one child said, “they are all around us too!” (Thanks to all for your prayers!)
The stories they wrote about what they learned and enjoyed the most were precious! Some wrote about how Noah’s family obeyed & were saved from the flood (one child wrote, “even the smallest little ants got on Noah’s Arc. Jesus loves & adores me & is my Savior.”) Others wrote about how we will have problems; but Jesus is always with us & can calm our storms too (another child wrote, “the best day of my life was when we did the drama in the boat, because I was a disciple & I want to do it again”). Some wrote about how we are to share our blessings with others, just as Peter shared the fish. Hearing their stories & knowing that they learned something filled Vonda & my hearts!
On the final day, I asked the kids to bring a flower for Vonda, as an expression of appreciation. When they arrived at the park, I asked where their flowers were (they had all forgotten… kids will be kids!). I told them to hurry up and return with a flower. In that moment, there were about 50 kids running in all directions back home (it made me giggle)! One by one, they returned to me from north, south, east and west, with big smiles & holding their beautiful flowers up to the video camera! It was so sweet to see them handing Vonda their gift, as she handed each child a well- deserved certificate of participation. Hearts were melting and dripping with love & joy that night! Vonda also had given them each 2 Jesus fish necklaces as a gift (1 was to give to a friend of theirs & share Jesus at the same time). It was a God-incidence that the closing celebration was on “National Children’s Day” (April 30th)! Also, that they were on their Easter vacation that week! Bless Vonda’s heart abundantly for all the preparation, effort, and money that she invested in the Ek Balam kids!
Just before our trip to the village, I heard of a 30 year old man named, Rafael, who lost a lot of weight and was at the point of death. Rafael told me that he thought God was punishing him for not going to church… but I assured him that our Father is not a punishing God! A couple of hours after praying for his stomach, intestines, muscles, and ear; I stopped by to bring him a bible. He said that he could hear clearly again out of the ear (it had been muffled)! He happily received the Lord that day!
The update on Armando is that he is on the waiting list for a job at the ruins. His oldest son broke his arm, a couple weeks ago. Although it has only been a few months since his wife passed away, he is doing better. He said that he must keep moving forward at church and not return to a vice. He knows that God is trusting him with the responsibility of raising his 4 kids. I handed him a photo, of his mother with the family that gave a C.P.R. course, last November. Armando said he remembered that they bought a hammock to help with the medical & transportation bills. Andrew (C.P.R. trainer) wrote a letter to tell him, that his 2 year old daughter collected $200 USD in birthday presents for Armando’s family! Armando agreed that we will have problems in this life; but “ni modo” (oh well), God is with us & He is the only option we have to get through things. He said that the words in this letter were very special. I’m the fortunate one who got to see his expression of appreciation for Andrew’s family!
Once again, I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for your prayer support. Missionaries truly can’t survive out on the field without it! I also couldn’t be doing this work, without financial support. Please continue to pray about partnering with me in this way. Health insurance has gone up this year, so even occasional gifts when the Lord leads, will make a big difference! I really appreciate all of you & will keep you in my prayers too! 
:)
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