I have so much I want to share with you about the awesome things that God did through the team that worked with me from 5-15 of July. (I will write several blog posts about the trip with different topics.) Today I just want to share with you who my team was and what we did. I also want to thank you for all your prayers. We sure needed every last one of them!
The Calvary Christian team from Omaha, Nebraska had 8 amazing ladies who really understood what it means to serve Christ and an understanding of missions. There were 3 girls who just graduated high school; Alicia, Becca and Laura. One girl who is beginning her senior year, Kirstyn. One who just graduated college, Lauren. Two in their mid 20’s, Tammy and Chelsea and then our amazing woman who we called the Mama of the team, Laurie. They all love Jesus and were such a blessing to my girls at Renacer and to me.
The theme verse of the week was 1 Peter 5:10 “In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.” And our theme word was “La Gracia” – Grace. (I will write a whole blog just on this later this week.)
So what did our week look like? Let me give you a brief overview.
Monday the 5th: They arrived at 5:30am and we had some rest and then orientation throughout the day. We also had the privilege of eating at the house of my “tica family”. High - getting to finally meet the team and introducing them to my tica family. Low - survived off of one hour of sleep.
Tuesday the 6th: In the late morning we headed up to Renacer and introduced the girls and the team to each other. We did nametags with our theme verse and played games. That evening we began our first session on Grace. Lauren set the foundation for the week in which we would build on. High – seeing the team and the girls finally meet and begin building relationships. Low – the rain was so loud on the metal roof that I had to scream as I was translating that evening session.
Wednesday the 7th: I think it was Becca who led the morning devotional with the girls. We did two craft projects and taught a dance to the girls. In the evening, Alicia and Kirstyn shared their powerful testimonies of how God has been leading them from suffering to His cross and to restoration. You could have heard a pin drop that night. High – God stopped the rain just in time for the evening session and started it right back up immediately afterwards. Low – Alicia had a diabetic seizure in the middle of the night and Laurie stayed in bed all afternoon due to being sick.
Thursday the 8th: Laura led the morning devotional with the girls. We did three more craft projects throughout the day. We finished the evening sessions with Laurie speaking about how we start off like an acorn and grow into strong oak trees through the grace of God. High – Seeing God use and stretch Laurie, even when she spent the day before in bed and still felt physically sick. Low – Laura got very sick in the night.
Friday the 9th: Chelsea led the morning devotional with the girls. We did three craft projects. That evening we had a talent show for the girls and for the team. High – seeing an amazing truth for the first time. The girls from the team said it’s so hard to see my girls having such a past of drugs, prostitution, etc. which I agreed with. But they took it a step further. This is how God sees us. He doesn’t see is for our past but for who we are to Him. What amazing truth! Low – being woken up in at 3:15am by a stupid big rat in the kitchen. Lauren and I tried to capture it with a pot but he was too quick. But thank God for that rat because I heard Alicia’s alarm going off stating that her blood sugar was too low.
Saturday the 10th: We had breakfast just with the team that morning. Thanks Laurie. Then we had a rally day in which we played different games with the girls. We ate lunch and then for 2 hours we had spa day. It was so beautiful. Three team members were washing feet and painting toenails. One team member taught some yoga. One team member led the relaxation that included a warm towel over the face as she read the story of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet. And the other three painted fingernails. High – we got to sleep in! Also to witness the spa day and how it made an impact on my girls. This team really understood the meaning to serve! Low – the power went out around 8pm and it was pitch black.
Sunday the 11th: This was a very relaxed day. We had some down time and had our own worship with the team and communion. We even had a beautiful non-rainy morning to sit in the sun. We met some of the girls’ families and just hung out. We also watched the final game of the World Cup. We had a great evening to ourselves where we played in the pouring rain, ate dinner (thanks Laurie again!), and just had a Sabbath for the most part. High – just relax time with the girls and with our team. I got to meet some of the families. Low – The rat came back to play at 3am and I still couldn’t get that stupid guy.
Monday the 12th: (I think this was one of my favorite days.) The team led a devotional just for our staff members. We did one craft project. Then the girls wrote letters to the staff members to say thank you. Then the girls did several dramas and sang for us. Then we did a ring ceremony in which the team gave each girl and staff member a ring symbolizing God’s grace for us. It was so beautiful. That evening we did a fake bonfire since it was raining. We had smores did some happy songs and then each team member said a few words. Then it was the girls’ time. Almost all of them shared what they learned or where thankful for. High – to see the staff being blessed and the girls excited to write letters to their staff. Low – the end of the week was coming to close.
Tuesday the 13th: We said our quick goodbyes and headed down the mountain to begin our time of debrief. We went to San Ramon and ziplined through the cloud forest and at times in the rain. We had the wonderful pizza of Otereo’s for dinner. High – being able to relax together and such a week of hard work and sleepless nights Low – for me it was just being completely exhausted.
Wednesday the 14th: We got to sleep in some and then we continued our debrief. We went down town for them to buy souvenirs and eat some yummy empanadas from my favorite little café. That night we had some yummy food from a great restaurant called Olio. We ended the night with the hot seat – where each person spoke of what they saw in each team member. That went until 1am! Then we were up and at them to leave for the airport at 4am on Thursday. High – enjoying the team and hearing what they have learned. Low – no sleep and they were leaving.
Okay so that was long. But that’s an idea of what they did. I will write later on the 4 words that sum up the trip. I’m still trying to think of the perfect 4 words. Again thanks for your prayers!
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