Special


This past week was exceptionally special for us.  Our daughter Nicki,  and her boyfriend Ben who live in Tennessee were planning a visit to Pan de Vida in January and a couple, Sarah and Andre,  from Nova Scotia  that attend our home church were stirred by God to do a mission trip. It turns out that they are friends and graduated high school together and then coordinated the trip so that they could form a small team and be here the same dates.  The way that the project worked out was evidence to how God had planned it that way to begin with. 
The 20 men from Manitoba had prepped the area for the pavers to be laid and had gotten a section done.  When this team arrived, they were able to continue with the project.  The area they had was the one that had more of the detail work as it went along the wall and  around the corner of the fruit and vegetable room.  Also due to it being an area that the water  and donation trucks need to drive, it meant that the foundation needed to be compacted with a machine.  They quickly created a system and were able to get much accomplished. 
Every Wednesday, Pan de Vida goes to a local market to ask for donations of fruits and vegetables that the vendors no longer want.  Many times they will give good things as well.  Being a small team, they were all able to go.  It allowed them to see how this venture is done and also spend time on the back of the donation truck with several of the older kids.
In addition to the project, they spent countless hours playing with the kids.  A few of the boys had “trompos” which are spin tops.  They are masters and loved showing off their talent.  The team then bought all the boys a top and everyone was in on it at the end.  The kids loved the attention they were getting and we were very impressed how they got to know the boys and remembered almost everyone’s name.  This is what it is all about.  Touching the hearts of the kids to let them know that they are important and God loves them and He shows it through the hearts of others.
It was also a very encouraging time for us as they came and were able to see the ministry of Pan de Vida.  We had a wonderful time of fellowship and were able to take them out to show them some of the culture and they also experienced much of the street food. 
We hope that this is the 1st trip of many and that next time more will come along.  They worked very hard and never complained as they were doing it for the Lord. They taught me so much this week about servanthood and fun fellowship!
Philippians 2:13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
sarah6 sarah8 sarah7 Sarah sarah4 sarah13 sarah3 
 sarah2
sarah1 sarah9 sarah5 sarah11 sarah15 sarah16 sarah12

What do you get?


What do you get when you bring 20 men from the Morden/Winkler area of Manitoba to Pan de Vida?  You gets LOTS of work done.  All of the men are skilled in one area or another and as mentioned in Church tonight, they have been into every nook and cranny of Pan de Vida.

As the men prepared to come, plans were being made on this end for the men to work a specific project on a proposed place for the boys who need to move from the current rental property.  Well, turns out God had different plans and at the last minute the project was scraped and another had to be organized the day of arrival. The weather here has been as cold as 0C(32F) and the highs were averaging 15C(62F) and with some rain on top of that, it delayed some of the materials being ready and delivered.  This did not discourage them because they have gone through the whole facility doing all kinds of projects.

A new ramp has been installed outside the entrance to the church, some clotheslines put under the awning for an area to hang small items when it is rainy season, a new metal grate has been made to cover the drainage ditch, a retaining wall around the church entrance patio, a new drain from the kitchen to a "holding tank", weeds cleaned from the playground, broken water lines in showers repaired, computers in the school all revamped, door frames and doors made for the last volunteer apartment and much much more.  Just as everyone at Pan de Vida is learning that they are jacks of all trades, everyone is approaching them to fix this and that.

The electrician and plumber have worked constantly in their fields.  They had to install wiring for some newly donated, industrial appliances for the kitchen.  The back hoe dug up some wiring while prepping the area to be paved and he fixed that.  The plumber fixed a glitch with the water pumps in addition to several drains, taps and other maintenance.  They also did lots of work to the current boys home to help them get by until they move.

In addition to this, the team also had the blessing to go to The Otomi House in Amealco and be a part of a Samaritan's Purse shoebox distribution.  They have been blogging while here, so I will give you the link to follow it.  I try to capture the events the best I can but I am sure you will be more blessed to read from their personal experience.  Also, due to lack of adequate internet service, I am unable to get pictures uploaded onto Xanga.  Facebook was gracious and accepted the attempt, so I made a photo album and will share that link with you as well.

The men still have 2 days left and I am sure they will make a huge dent into the massive paving project in progress.  For those of us that live here, it has been a true blessing to have them come with so much zeal to work on the things that help us function better.  It isn't just the physical things either.  They have encouraged us so much in their passion for the kids.  They have spent lots of times interacting and playing with the kids and showing them the love of Christ through them.

The Men of Hope Blog http://menofhope2010.blogspot.com

Pictures link http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=188464&id=511160411&l=5457b1e52a

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