Joint Heirs With Jesus

Last week Pan de Vida said good-bye to a very special lady who was a huge blessing to the work here.  Terri, who supervised the kitchen, had to leave for personal reasons.  In ministry and missions, we witness many people on different journeys.  It is always hard to accept change.  Terri`s departure now left the kitchen without a supervisor.  The directors approached me about helping in this ministry.  Remember, I am from Canada.  I do not know a chipolte from a pimento.  I was horrified at the thought but knew they were in a bind and always want to help if I can.  I will be supervising the work in the kitchen along with meal planning and looking after the inventory.

It is now over a week later and no one has died, so God has remained faithful. It is actually a blessing to be working in the kitchen.  Here at Pan de Vida, the directors have a well planned schedule of chores for the children so it never seems like hard work, it is like team work.  Each morning I am up before the sun and have the pleasure of greeting sleepy eyed girls as they come to the kitchen and start breakfast and they are always smiling.  I actually have fun with them and they are helping me tremendously practice my Spanish.  However, sometimes when I have 5 girls calling my name and speaking rapidly, I just do the bobble head.  I still have so much to learn with the language, food and kitchen routine but I trust God to direct me in this task.

All of this has taken place while Ira has had to be away.  He is in Canada for his oldest son`s wedding.  At first I was disappointed that I was unable to attend but with all that has happened, I see now that God had a reason for me to stay behind.  The boys really miss Ira`s presence.  As we have settled into ministry here, we have built some relationships with the kids as well.  The last month held several celebrations that required installation of lights, props to be built, etc.  A couple of the boys took interest in helping Ira.  Then during the week, after school, they even come to the workshop to see if they can help.  Ira started a picket fence as a hobby project to allow them opportunity to learn their way in the workshop.  Ira has a vision to teach a workshop class along with other handyman jobs.  With the boys being taught English in the school and Ira studying Spanish, they will be able to do this soon.

Also this last week, I was blessed to be a substitute teacher.  Richard, who teaches English, needed to be away for  a few days and asked me to take his Thursday and Friday class.  He had prepared an exam and wanted me to share my testimony so I wasn`t involved in any lesson planning, Praise the Lord! In the beginning of class, we started in prayer and I asked each person to pray to God something they were thankful for.  First, just to hear them speak English with their Spanish accent is poetic in itself.  I was tremendously blessed and warmth just spilled into my spirit when they thanked God for me.  And just to hear them thank God also for their life considering what some of them have overcome, also touched me deeply.

While in Canada, Ira also had opportunity to share with the churches the need for daily necessities of food, water, toiletries, etc.  We hope to cover some of the expenses through child sponsorship program.  If you feel led to become a partner in this ministry please visit the Children of Hope web-site. www.childrenofhope.info