Our Hearts, God's Love, Their Hope

We have had two wonderful, but emotional days.  Our VBS is over and part of our hearts are left with the people of Terra Linda.  We began our day in a devotional at a Vida School.  We joined in worship and again were amazed by the excitement and energy of our time together.  We were truly touched as the young children gathered around us to pray for us.  They held us tight as their teacher led them in prayer.  We will be forever changed by our experience with all of these beautiful children.

After the devotional we participated in a fun market activity.  Despite a few mix-ups in translation, all teams managed to complete the activity and enjoy the experience.  As we walked amongst the booths, we were mindful of a hard working people who had hauled all of their produce to the market. As we returned from the market a couple of our team members blessed a Guatemalan man by helping push his cart of produce up a steep hill. In turn we were blessed by his gratitude.

We spent this afternoon with the children of Terra Linda.  Yesterday we had 80 children and 20 adults gathered in the shack.  Expecting more in attendance today, we moved our VBS from the tiny shanty to a pasture at the bottom of the hill.  The adults of the community worked hard after our first day to clear it for our use.  We were amazed as we drove up to be greeted by 140 children and many of their mothers.  Some of the men of the community gathered as well.  God is good.  Today in an open space, under a beautiful blue sky, we shared about Jesus.  The children and adults listened as we told of his life and the children made bracelets to remind them of our time together. 

After our teaching time we handed out the Cristo Me Ama t-shirts.  Of the 150 shirts, we had 3 adult large shirts left.  The children were so grateful for this gift that some had tears in their eyes as we put the shirts on them.  Though some of the shirts came down to their ankles, they wore them with pride.  As we played with the children, the field was filled with colour and laughter.   We closed our VBS with our tranlsator giving invitation for the children.  Most of the children repeated the prayer.  It was very heart warming to see some of them raise their hands in commitment. 

 It is an understatement to say it was very difficult to say goodbye.  All of the team struggled as the children came through for their final hugs.  Though we only spent 3 days with them, our hearts were affected by their sadness, their desire for love and the new hope we see for them.  We look forward to sharing with you all of God's work with Terra Linda and the opportunity RCS has to continue to serve this people.

This evening we were welcomed into the home of a Guatemalan believer.  We made our own meal and enjoyed their hospitality and the husband's testimony.  We were truly humbled to have him share his life of sadness and hardship only to challenge us to always forgive and to never carry anger.  It has been a very full day.  We have an even more emotional day ahead of us.  We appreciate your prayers and support and ask that you pray for the commitments that were made today and for the seeds that were planted from our time with them.  God is working within and through us.  Thank you for joining with us on our journey.