Thursday already. Wow. Full days and tired bodies, yet time is flying.
The final day of teaching by our veteran teammate (15 visits of love with these beautiful folks under her belt) asked the LTP students to prayerfully consider "How Much More?" Students were challenged to wrestle through how much MORE of pursuing God and the work of His Spirit -in and through them - they really wanted.
JJ and I didn't get to participate in the teaching time as we met with CSS's leader to discuss expansion of future ministry opportunities. Together we explored options for bringing a medical team, for sex-worker rehab, an English language camp and teaching further skills to those in the technical training institute. We will continue to research and pray through these ideas.
We were able to catch a ride back for the end of the LTP discussion time, and to spend a little time saying goodbye to them. Continue to pray that this generation of followers of the Way be strengthened and emboldened to live, love, demonstrate and speak the Gospel.
This afternoon back with the younger kids was a treat. Lots of energy as we were singing together. Once more our team assisted the day's message of Gods lo e through His Son as our teammate who's been playing J sus washed the feet of 12 girls who represented the 12 disciples. Then our other teammate dramatically presented Jesus's death and resurrection from the perspective of Mary Magdalene. Kudos to her...her presentation was impressive anyway, but even more so since she did it so well even through a translator! The Gospel was acted out and an invitation to respond given. The whole room came upfront seeking to know Jesus or know Him more.
As the girls returned to sit and complete a final craft, each of us felt the bond between us all. The girls made decorative stamps while a couple team members set up games and prepped water ballons for a carnival time. HUGE hit!! Even though the games never really got played. The 500+ water ballons drew all the attention and quickly our thoughts of organized games descended into barely controlled chaos. Basically, a giant water ballon fight ensued. The two girls JJ and I sponsor participated too. And really...it was a blast. The whole thing. Chaos and all. These nearly 300 girls just got to freely play and be silly. One of the workers there, also one of our translators, said that he was so happy to see the girls laughing and enjoying the time. It was so good for them. And it was special to be able to PLAY with our two girls among them. After the last ballon was broken and every drop of water flew, we and our damp friends got to hang out some more and have dinner together. Before saying good bye for the night, we were invited into the girl's dorms, where they proudly showed us their rooms, and swept us into dancing circles as they sang some of their traditional songs of praise and Christmas (so we were told). Finally, we had to give our last hugs and waves and head back to sleep and pack before our short, last visit the next morning.
The final day of teaching by our veteran teammate (15 visits of love with these beautiful folks under her belt) asked the LTP students to prayerfully consider "How Much More?" Students were challenged to wrestle through how much MORE of pursuing God and the work of His Spirit -in and through them - they really wanted.
JJ and I didn't get to participate in the teaching time as we met with CSS's leader to discuss expansion of future ministry opportunities. Together we explored options for bringing a medical team, for sex-worker rehab, an English language camp and teaching further skills to those in the technical training institute. We will continue to research and pray through these ideas.
We were able to catch a ride back for the end of the LTP discussion time, and to spend a little time saying goodbye to them. Continue to pray that this generation of followers of the Way be strengthened and emboldened to live, love, demonstrate and speak the Gospel.
This afternoon back with the younger kids was a treat. Lots of energy as we were singing together. Once more our team assisted the day's message of Gods lo e through His Son as our teammate who's been playing J sus washed the feet of 12 girls who represented the 12 disciples. Then our other teammate dramatically presented Jesus's death and resurrection from the perspective of Mary Magdalene. Kudos to her...her presentation was impressive anyway, but even more so since she did it so well even through a translator! The Gospel was acted out and an invitation to respond given. The whole room came upfront seeking to know Jesus or know Him more.
As the girls returned to sit and complete a final craft, each of us felt the bond between us all. The girls made decorative stamps while a couple team members set up games and prepped water ballons for a carnival time. HUGE hit!! Even though the games never really got played. The 500+ water ballons drew all the attention and quickly our thoughts of organized games descended into barely controlled chaos. Basically, a giant water ballon fight ensued. The two girls JJ and I sponsor participated too. And really...it was a blast. The whole thing. Chaos and all. These nearly 300 girls just got to freely play and be silly. One of the workers there, also one of our translators, said that he was so happy to see the girls laughing and enjoying the time. It was so good for them. And it was special to be able to PLAY with our two girls among them. After the last ballon was broken and every drop of water flew, we and our damp friends got to hang out some more and have dinner together. Before saying good bye for the night, we were invited into the girl's dorms, where they proudly showed us their rooms, and swept us into dancing circles as they sang some of their traditional songs of praise and Christmas (so we were told). Finally, we had to give our last hugs and waves and head back to sleep and pack before our short, last visit the next morning.
No comments:
Post a Comment