Final day on the job...

We started out the day with devotions as usual. Today we talked about conforming to the patterns of the world. Sam urged us to stop and take in what God was trying to tell us on this trip and many admitted areas in their lives where the world and its patterns took precedence over God. It was a good message to savor as we approached our last day on the work site with our Honduran brothers and sisters. The women had corn flakes and pan dulce ready for us when we arrived.

We relaxed for a bit before we set up for our last day of VBS. All through the week there has been rain, lack of electricity and other frustrations while getting ready for VBS… today I found my iPod (with all the songs and puppet stories on it) dead… but just as He had done the whole week, God provided… Sam just happened to have an iPod charger with him and everything came off flawless…

More than 125 kids worshiped the Lord with all their might today…

You could see in their faces the fun they were having learning about our Savior…

Because it was the last day we gave each child a goodie bag filled with toys, a treat and of course a Wienerschintzel inflatable ball...

We all opened them together and it has to be one of the most beautiful sounds ever to hear them laugh and squeal over their treasures… it’s such a small token, yet they appreciate it so much…

It was sad to see them file out for the last time…

Back at the church the brothers prepared the lid for the septic tank. It consisted of palm branches, rebar and cement.

Today was special as we got to break into groups of three for lunch. Six families took each group to their home for a homemade meal. The houses ranged from stick shacks to beautifully tiled, modern construction homes. Everyone had a wonderful time conversing (or trying to) with our brothers and sisters and enjoying the meals they prepared for us.

After lunch we had a dedication service for the new church building. It was amazing to celebrate God in the house He helped us build over the last week.

Pastor Andrés made us aware of a dream he had over two years ago. Two nights in a row God woke him with a stirring for the community of Larida. God told him that one day a church would rise and that he was to lead it. He prayed and began to grow a home church in the area. Now a year later the congregation has their building and the community there will continue to reach out to the lost… it was a moving time.

Brother Uriel prayed for the church building as did Sam…

After a time of worship and celebratory cake, we departed with conflicted hearts; full of joy for what God had done and sadness because this would be the last time we see our brothers and sisters in Larida.