Earlier I updated you on our Easter events and outreach. Now I want to post some pictures of the work projects and activities that were done while Northview Community Church team was here.
In December, a team from Brampton Christian Academy did a section of block in front of the new addition to the school. This team did some cement work around the edges, prepared and started the extension. They also continued the work on the drainage ditches behind the visitor's dorm. A few of the members joined the Wednesday morning donation run to the market. A task the Amazing race should truly consider someday.
The team was made up of families and there were several youth among them. They had many activities and crafts planned for the kids. In addition to the day at the water park, there were puppet plays, fingernail painting, street hockey and each child got to create their own photo frame and place their photo in it...many of the littler ones needing assistance. So much happened in the time they were here. The biggest of them being the time spent with the kids and the relationships that were built. I think everyone came to know the "agape" love of Jesus during this time.
So much has happened in the last week with Easter and the team from Northview Community Church of Abbotsford, BC here. I have decided that I will post an entry surrounding our Easter Outreach with the team first and then in a couple of days post about the work projects and activities with the kids.
There is a lady, Geno, who volunteers in the kitchen on Fridays here at Pan de Vida. She and her husband have been led by God to build a church in a very, very poor community in Querétaro. The name of it is Mount Sinai. When Ira and I were here 3 years ago, we did an eye clinic outreach there. It was the first clinic we had outdoors, since the church only had part of a concrete floor and some corner wall beams. In the meantime, a roof has been donated and put on but there is so much work that still needs to be done.
The Saturday before Easter, the team along with "The Levi" the youth group of Pan de Vida, went to be a part of the outreach service Mount Sinai was hosting. We had a wonderful time of praise and worship. Then the youth group performed a skit. It is called "Through the Window". It tells the story of Christ's death and resurrection from the point of view of the non-believing carpenter who made Jesus' cross. The carpenter's mother is a Christian woman, who is lame and hears all the news through her window. Then a song called "He Lives" was played which tells the story of Christ from the perspective of the Roman Soldier stationed at Jesus' cross and tomb. It was a great skit and very moving!!
After the service, the team passed out food hampers to needy families of the area. There was also a very moving time of prayer. When the Pastor presented the call for prayer, I think almost every family responded. We could definitely tell that Jesus was alive and present at Mount Sinai.
Also, Pan de Vida, is in the process of getting the new roof on the auditorium. The walls have been up for a while now and a Swiss owned construction company "Sika" generously donated the roof. It is still a work in progress but as long as it doesn't rain, we can use it for the services. It seemed symbolic as we celebrated Christ being alive and to see the roof raised in time for us to use it on Easter for our first service!
