It ain't paint by numbers, folks!

Hello everyone! Yep, you guessed it - we (most of us, at least) spent the day painting. A team of 10 of us headed up to the third floor of the boys dorms to paint the rooms that the Master's Commisson students sleep in. I wish I could say that more paint ended up on the walls than us, but I'm not sure! :) Just kidding - as Pastor Bryon would say, "We rocked it!" painting one large room (30 x 30), two smaller rooms (15 x 12), and two bathrooms (15 x 12). We also painted the outside deck (30 x 20). It was messy, hot, and a tad smelly (OK...it was very smelly since we used oil based paint). As Kim Mickel says, Jimmy Carter was right - "Let's ban oil paint!" We made sure to take lots of "air" and water breaks but we wanted to get this important job done for the ministry here. We will be doing more of the same tomorrow.

Two of our team members, Kim & Ericka, "ministered" in the sweetest spot on the campground - an air-conditioned, music filled, atrium where they sewed. Seriously, we were a bit jealous but we know that they helped a key ministry here at Kings Castle. They made cloth bags that are filled with food, gifts, and necessities that are given to people throughout the country. The sewing room produces thousands of bags that can be given to those in need. They also make all of the costumes and puppets that are used in the programs that the evangelism teams use in ministering to children.

Michele & Minerva continued to work in the clinic. They saw 147 patients today between 8am and 4pm. Michele shares that she has used more Spanish than she has ever used before and has learned a lot. Both her and Minerva dealt with many heart-breaking situations but they prayed with and loved on tons of people. Patti worked in the same area with them in the pharmacy. She was kept extremely busy with barely enough time to break for lunch. Patti loved observing the doctor and how he treated each patient with respect, compassion, and the love of Christ.

We had a team meeting immediately following dinner and shared some of the things that we are learning and experiencing and what God is doing in each of our hearts. You'll get to hear all about that on Sunday morning when we share it with you.

Tomorrow morning, I'm planning to head into the city so I can post a few of the amazing pictures we have taken here. Plus, I'll have another text post at the end of our final day of work here.

Continue to pray for our protection from sickness. The Lord has helped us so far and we are believing that God will continue to strengthen us.

Thanks for your prayers! A HUGE shout out to my buddy RJ for hooking me up with how the Yankees are doing! Thanks, friend!

Love to all of our friends and family,

Pastor Arlena :)

p.s. The quote of the day by Dustin Smith (said completely out of the blue): "For next year's missions trip, I'm totally feelin' Iraq!"