Three Special Days--Day 2

Saturday we drove to the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts for our second day with M!  She didn't want to know anything before hand so we were inside the theater before she realized what it was.  The King and I was the perfect Broadway musical for us to enjoy with her--just enough humor, great songs and amazing dancing.  

Of course, the theater has photography restrictions, so this is all we got.

 

Koinonia--Alma y Verdad

Yesterday was the final Koinonia (all four of our sites meet together) for 2016.  The first Koinonia was a kick-off for the 25-anniversary of the church.  The second Koinonia was the enormous anniversary celebration and this featured a concert by the Orquesta Sinfonica Cristiana (Christian Symphonic Orchestra) of El Salvador.  The 80-person orchestra and 20 person chorus presented a program of ten songs, including Majesty, You are the Air I Breath, Agnus Dei, Amazing Grace, Oceans and Revelation Song.

The theme for the concert was "Alma y Verdad" (Truth for the Soul) and after all the beautiful praise music, Pastor Steve preached the message of salvation.   The greatest blessing was the number of people who made professions of faith at the end of the service.  Praise the Lord for a church that finds ways to reach the lost and is faithful to preach the gospel.

Six days in Panama--Part 3

Saturday we walked to the subway station, took the subway to Albrook mall and hailed a taxi to take us to the Miraflores Locks on the Panama Canal.  We didn't get to the locks until about 1:00 p.m. so we were a little concerned that there no boats would come through.  But, no worries--we saw four different boats.  Now you know that there are going to be big boats going through the canal, but when you actually see them, you realize they are really BIG!

The first to come through was a container ship.  According to the information we read, the biggest ships that come through can hold 4,500 containers.

Sunday morning we took a taxi to Iglesia Bautista El Dorado--a church that was recommended to us by Ryan Blackstock, a fellow missionary and our small group leader here in El Salvador.  

 

VBS in Guatemala

The VBS theme for this year was Agency D3:  Discover, Decide, Defend.  It was apologetics based, with lessons, Bible verses and songs that helped the kids discover the answers to the following questions:  

• Monday--Is Jesus really God's Son?
• Tuesday--Was Jesus more than just a good man?
• Wednesday--Was Jesus' death real?
• Thursday--Is Jesus alive?
• Friday--What do I do with the evidence about Jesus?

As always, the church did an excellent job with theme-based decorations.  

The kids loved the songs:

Stephen made a new friend.  Her name was Nicole and on Monday she was inconsolable, crying for her mom.  Stephen happened to walk by and she said, "Papa."  Once he took her she settled down and was his shadow the rest of the week.  We asked the friend who brought her if Stephen looked like her dad and she told us that her dad is mostly "absent," so we don't know why she was so taken by him.  She warmed up to a few other people during the week, but only if Stephen wasn't there or was busy.

 

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The group of mom's met each day for crafts and Bible study.

It was an awesome week and such a blessing to serve with teams from Oakland Baptist, Decatur Baptist, Valley Baptist and First Baptist, Murrells Inlet.  

5 Days of VBS in Guatemala

VBS started on Monday, November 11.  This year's theme was:  Colossal Coaster World--facing fear/trusting God.  The kids could easily relate to the theme and we all loved the music.  I was assigned as a guide for the 11-year olds and Stephen as a guide for the 12-year olds.  We both had awesome groups!  Each day consisted of an opening session, five rotations (Bible story, Bible verse, crafts, music, games/snacks) and a closing session.

DAY 1--There were just under 200 kids in attendance.  Everyone in attendance received a sash and a Colossal Coaster button for attending.  They had the ability to earn a good behavior button (and the ability to lose it); the older kids (11 and up) were also able to earn a star button for memorizing the daily Bible verse in both Spanish and English.  

Hard at work on their roller coaster picture frame craft.

 Awesome group of 11-year olds with our trademark "elevens."

Bible story time--learning about Paul's miraculous conversion on the road to Damascus.

DAY 2--Friend day saw the attendance increase to almost 230 kids!  Everyone who brought a friend earned a LOVE button.  

 Foam ball caps were the craft of the day.  Yes, they're showing their "elevens"

Closing session

Day 3--Another high attendance day for Crazy Hair Day.  

 Fernanda--our 11-year old, 1st place Crazy Hair Day winner with a Barbie doll on her head.

 Dulce--our 11-year old, 2nd place Crazy Hair Day winner.

Rosemarie Rivas (VBS Director) and one of her assistants.

Day 4--We thought we reached the epitome of craziness on Wednesday, but kids of all ages really loved Clown Day.  More than 230 kids attended.

 Two guides and a group of kids "clowning" around

 Me and my good friend, Sherry Jobe, from Corinth, Mississippi

Smiling 12-year olds working on their cross craft.

DAY 5--Highest attendance yet--237--and almost all were in their pajamas for PJ Day.  It was the last day to earn all 5 of the scripture verse buttons and the final day of Apostle Paul's amazing life story.  

 Making a self portrait

 Yes, 12-years will wear their PJ's to VBS

A stage full of kids on the last day!

What an awesome week!  It was worth every minute of preparation to see these kids learning about Jesus and how they can face their fears because He is with them.  My favorite song from the week:  Change my heart, O God; open up my eyes I want to see your glory shining like a light.  Change my heart, O God; stir me up inside I want to feel your spirit movin' in my life.

Pray for the church as they begin follow up with the kids and adults who made decisions during the week.