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.
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