Final Day in the community!

2011 Day 6

This morning we had some really great opportunities with the people of the community.

But, the day started at midnight, when we were all just beginning to settle in.  The FH staff knew it was Bob’s birthday and through the miracle of the internet, found some Kenny Rogers to play for him just before we all signed off for the night.   By the time lunch came around they produced cake and a great round of Happy Birthday and a cake.  It’s good to be with our family here if we can’t be with our families back at home.

After breakfast we were able to visit a couple more houses and plant some fruit bearing trees.  It will be fun to return and see what these trees are doing in the future.  Though small, the trees should begin to bear fruit in about a year.  Just as the message planted here has already begun to bera fruit and we look forward to a great harvest.

After tree planting we had a really great time playing baseball with the young men of the community.  We actually played well enough to be edged out 6-7, but it was a really great time.  The man who helps train the kids was very encouraging of the work going on here both through the leadership and through FH’s work.

The afternoon brought us to some farewell visits to friends homes and we had a special dedication ceremony at the house we had begun.  There was a great prayer time as we stood in the rooms-to-be.  The family promised we would pray in those same rooms together when we return next time. This young family of Carlos and Annalisa, has such hope now that they no longer have to depend on relatives for a place to live.  Carlos at 23, though he looks 17 to us, is father to 3 kids the oldest is 5.  We are so blessed to have been part of this project.

Carlos and Annalisa in their new house witth extednded family.

We were also able to tour a house that FH is just completing so that we could see what the home will look like when completed.  The whole community is so excited for each other as needs are met.  We have not come across any jealousy in these areas yet.

In the evening we gathered with the community for a farewell ceremony at the church.  It was so humbling as person after person thanked us and FH and praised God for the changes going on here.  It is so incredible to see the progress already.   There were musical numbers and everyone kept saying we won’t tell you adios, only see you again.  The pastor said that if it wasn’t here then it would be in heaven.  As each of our team shared our blessings from the week with the community and thanked them for allowing us to come, there were not many dry eyes in the place.  After we finished a few different of the ladies came back up and said we should not be thanking them because we had brought them so much and left so much. 

Greg was able to pray for the whole community, families, leaders, the school, the church, the full-time FH staff and the pastor.  God is working in a mighty way here!  It took over a half hour for us to get apart from the people after the ceremony because of all the hugs and farewell wishes and more hugs and a few tears.  One gal came up to us and said thanks for her brother who had accepted Christ just last night. 

We will miss this place when we leave in the morning and will be looking forward with great anticipation to seeing our families again.  We are hours from the airport so will return to that area to stay at a hotel so that we can catch our early morning flight on Sunday.