Pan de Vida was again blessed by a team from Canada. This team was a bit different than some of the others as it was made of all women. Some of the team know each other and some did not so they all starting knowing others when the team was formed and logistics were being planned. Each member brought a different gift to the team and it was interesting to see how God worked it all out for them to exercise that.
The team had many activities planned for the children of the Orphanage along with 2 outreaches. The team made food hampers and planned craft and games for an outreach to Mount Sinai Church here in Queretaro. The Pastors of this church planted it several years ago but still struggle with getting adequate facilities to minister in. You can tell the hunger the people have for God as many come for these outreaches. We pray God will continue to send teams and individuals to assist them in their financial and spiritual needs.
During the week, the team had things planned for the kids and volunteers of Pan de Vida. Many of the women sewed curtains for the current home for the older boys and the small boys dorm. They also made 100 shawl/blankets for the women of the Otomi Tribe in Amealco. The team brought along about 20 duffle bags of goods that were donated and made in Canada to be distributed in all areas of their ministry during the trip.
One of the team members felt led to do a "Spa Night" for all the older girls. They set up stations for pedicures, manicures and a waiting area. There was everything in the waiting area from reading material to chocolates, candles and even the mood music. What a treat for the kids and even us volunteers that were able to get pampered in this activity. It was great to see the kids enjoy the fellowship with the team as well. Each of the girls received a gift bag of lotions and creams in a bag that was hand sewn by Helping Hands in Canada. The kids were very excited by this gift as they can use the bag for school as well.
One of the team members came and cut hair for the kids and volunteers. The timing was perfect as some of the girls had been "models" for the Pan de Vida girls that are in Vocational school to cut hair and needed some "fixing" done or as Violeta said in exercising her English..."we operations to get repairs."
There were also members who planned crafts and puppet plays for the kids. It was planned to have them rotate from each section and then come back for a final message. They enjoyed it so much, it was hard for us to get the rotation in action. The kids would have stayed and strung froot loops into necklaces all day if we had let them..well plus they were eating half as they worked on them. Also each day, the team had a mosaic mural that they added pieces to and the kids had to guess what it was. The kids loved it and gathered more each day as they added pieces. The finished product was Noah's Ark.
As always there was also some construction work. Some of the women got the walls grouted, sanded and painted in the bathrooms for Justo and Elia's apartment. The hallway was grouted and all the edging was applied and now that area is finished. Ira is almost finished with the tiles in the kitchen area of their apartment as well.
A real treat for us volunteers was a women's tea that the team hosted in the visitor's dorm. They had thought out all the details and provided each of us with gift bags afterward of lotions, shampoos and grooming items. We all commented how exciting it was to feel so special and receive gifts that we can pamper ourselves with. The best blessing was the testimony time of the tea as everyone briefly shared what they do. We have many new volunteers and this was an opportunity for us all to become more united.
The week for us ended with a volunteer supper that they treated us to at a local restaurant. Again a great evening of fellowship. The team ended their trip by going to Amealco and doing an Outreach at the Otomi House. They had many bags of items that they donated along with the shawls they made. While there, the Otomi children were able to minister to the team with a skit they had been practicing through the Sunday School classes. Again this is a ministry in a small remote village and we continue to pray for growth and an open spirit toward the Gospel from the people.
In summary, I have to say that this team has left and with it they have left an imprint on all of our hearts. We all feel so pampered and encouraged that they thought so much of us to do these special things. It has been a real refreshment. All us volunteers are each so busy in what we do that we do not get to spend much time with each other and this was a wonderful opportunity for us to reconnect and in a relaxed atmosphere. We truly feel like Princesses of the KING!
