If For Only One.

Buenos Noche People!

Today was our first day of ministry! It included eight million kids, five programs, two packs of beef jerky, and a partridge in a pear tree. (That one was for you Pastor Arlena, btw, you are missed. I thought I saw you at least three times today. Haha.). Right now most of us are mad chilling here in the snack bar. It's filled with laughter and jokes. Uncle Rick seems a bit tired?, he's cracking up, and I mean like doubled over, at his own jokes. (And he just died after hearing that.) All the kids have clicked well, and of course the adults have bonded in having to look after us. We headed out right after breakfast to travel around the lake to the townships surrounding it. Our first program was one of the most difficult I've ever been apart of. We hiked up a slope which was a mountain to us, but a piece of cake for the Nationals. And it was raining a bit with at least 4 pairs of dogs attempting to get in the way. But we did our best with the first tries at our dances, which surely looked pitiful, but Neil and Bri saved our backs by doing a clever job at the Mi Corazon skit.

Our second program was in a soccer field in that we had to borrow electricity from a small family for. We didn't have a huge turnout, but at the end we prayed over that small family. First for their shy, but adorable, little girl who was sick. Then the husband and wife shared with us, through a translator of course, that they are new Christians, two weeks old to be exact. The husband was actually suicidal before he encountered the Lord. They are about to lose their house however being that the husband has been unemployed for five months. The Lord had laid on Thaymee's heart to share with them the basis of the verse Galatians 6:7-10. Look it up, it's good, I'm serious. The family told us that they were so blessed to have us there, and Thaymee turned it around and said to them pretty much that they have nothing, and on the verge of losing their home, yet they shared their electricity. Letting them know that they will surely be blessed through this. Hugs were shared all around and tears shed. You readers can keep this small, yet strong family in your prayers. Pray that they can keep their house, the husband finds a solid job, and their little girl will be healthy again.

We then came back to the Castle and did a short program for the kids in the feeding program here. I saw a little boy who was here last year. He was wearing the same Bob the Builder pajama shirt and looked no bigger than he did last July. He, however, was contend being held on my hip as long as he had his empty Coke can to play with. After lunch we were supposed to head back out to do another program immediately after. But as we have come to learn, time doesn't mean much here in El Salvador. The Nationals and some of our kids started to playing soccer, kicking the ball in and out of the horses, and we eventually left some 45 minutes later to continue on with our programs. The bus pulled into a little township not too far from the camp. One that we also performed at last summer. This ended up being a wonderful program. Soooo many kids came running, we hardly had to go grab em. And they were already smiling. Half our job was done as soon as they saw the bus. I've never had so many kids leaping to grab the camera lens in my life, "FOTO! FOTO!" I'm also pretty sure that same herd of bulls and cows trucked right through our "stage"again. The B team did the David and Goliath skit very well and it was hysterical. The children were really dirty, but despite that fact, they were the happiest we met all day. Their smiles would literally melt you. One little boy, a familiar face from last year, Israel, couldn't be separated from Georgie after the Jesus skit being that he actually believed that Georgie was Jesus. It was the most precious thing. One old woman, Elise, brought her Bronchitis-stricken granddaughter, Monica, to me to have me pray for her. I had to go grab Thaymee for help, but we got some words exchanged. The many, many Beanie Babies were especially enjoyed at this site. The kids were freaking out.

Tonight we went to a service at Pastor Julio's church. The worship was so lovely, the constant clapping and tamborine-ing. Krissia, one of our National leaders, preached a sermon on John 11. Georgie, Mariela, and Susanna led one of the worship songs. And Neil gave his testimony with Pastor Julio interpreting, which was greatly received by those listening. Tomorrow, will most likely be similar to today...filled with bus rides and programs. It's pouring right now, so hopefully we will see a bit of Mr. Sun in the morning. Today's title is in reference to the prayer Neil prayed as we pulled out of the gates at 8AM. He stated that we are still here to do God's work, even if it's just for only one. That sick girl at the soccer field was just one that we prayed for, who represented one family, that impacted one team, that represents one church, living for the One God.

None of us have broken any bones yet, and we haven't lost any of the 13 members yet.....Did I get you? There's 14 team members, and we're all accounted for. ;-) Goodnight all. Talk to you tomorrow!