A Lot of WOW! Moments!!

What an incredible weekend! It was filled with so many moments that just made your heart tingle with warmth! First, I left Antigua Thursday night to return to the city. Friday I spent all day at the ministry and all I can say is "Wow God, You are Awesome!!". We began the day by doing our devotion/prayer walk, where we read part of a Bible passage in each of the buildings that the ministry works in and then end in the squatter's area, by singing and praying. This Friday was different than last Friday in that the children did not have school. There were more children than usual running all over the place. When we were praying and singing, there was one little girl in particular who caught my eye and we "connected" right away. She was gone just as fast as she came. I had no idea where she went. After the group prayed, we split up into smaller groups to do home visits. The group that I went with, was at the other end of the area. We turned down the "street" to see a previous family that had been visited. Right before the house, at the end of the "street" was the little girl, Teresa, that I had seen earlier. She (4yr.) was with her older brother(8?) and her younger sister (2). I talked to the three of them which was absolutely amazing. I can't tell you how precious these children were. Teresa had a joy in her that was just beautiful. While I was with the children, the rest of the group was talking to the woman of the house that they had previously visited. When it came time to share a Bible passage, I opened my Bible to the passage and shared it with the children. They were fascinated with the Bible and kept wanting to turn the pages. After we prayed, we went to the house next door, but noone was there. The whole time this is going on, Teresa holds my hand and follows me wherever I go. The group was going to turn around and go down another "street", but I asked if it would be possible to go to the house where these children live. They agreed without a question asked. The children actually lived at the end of the "street". We knocked on the door and their mom, Maria, opened the door. We introduced ourselves and said where we were from. We asked her if she believed in God and she said yes. We asked her what her god was and she said, "Many things". In reality, she didn't believe in the God of Jesus Christ. The conversation continued for quite some time. We told the mom about the ministry that we have and the activities that we have for the children. She was very receptive to our coming. She has four children in total and there is a father who lives in the home. All I can say is what an incredible blessing for God to have orchestrated us going to her house. After her house, we went to her neighbor's house which was across from hers. The woman there did not believe in God either, but was not open to much conversation like Maria was. I ask that you all pray for these families, that they would come to believe in Jesus Christ and that they can see and understand how much God truly does love them. When it was time to say goodbye, my heart broke for those children and for the families that live here. Most are without shoes, live on a dirt floor, in a space about the size of a bathroom, with no clean water or food. Oh, how I can't wait for our next visit!

After that, we returned back to the ministry center. We had about a half an hour or so until lunch would be ready, so a group of guys, Ms. Carmen, and I walked down to the park. The guys played soccer and I talked to Ms. Carmen. She is an older woman, I think in her 70s, who cleans at the ministry. She lives right in the squatter's area. I had a really good conversation with her. She is a sweet, wonderful woman.

Saturday, was also spent at the ministry. We began the day with a devotion and prayer. Then, I got to work in the clinic with Pablo and Kevin. We had four patients that came in that day. We also put signs out on the ministry doors, so that people are aware that the clinic is happening. Each day truly is a new adventure and you never know what will happen or what you will have to do! I have something fun to share with you. Pablo has a motorcycle and brought it to work that day. I told him how I wanted to ride one, so after we finished that day, he drove me to the mission house. Let me just say that that was quite an experience!

Sunday, I returned back to Antigua. Today was the day the people here got to vote for their new president. This is the first of their voting process. They had 15 candidates who were running, so they were voting, to narrow it down to 2. The results of the winners are in and let me just say that it does not look good. Please pray for the people here, and for the new government officials as they can honestly make or break what happens here.

This is all for now as I am sure you all are tired reading! Have a wonderful day and a blessed night! Know that my prayers are with each one of you!!:)