Happy Thanksgiving

We begin the Thanksgiving post giving thanks.

Thank you to our family for being willing to part with us for this week and making due without us.  

Thank you to the people and leadership of Cornerstone Community Fellowship for supporting us and making the trip possible.

Thank you to the Food for the Hungry staff who serve us so graciously while we are here and continue this ministry to the people of Sierra Prieta daily throughout the year.

Thank you to God, who through his grace and mercy has seen fit to save us and include us in his work.  Beyond knowing him there is no greater blessing than to be included in what he is doing.

This morning we left for Sierra Prieta expecting to participate in a fun game of baseball.  But all the players were either working or in school. So we left to visit some people we hadn't called on yet.  As we went we passed by the house the community has under construction for Javier's family.  We found the community president Juan and some young men working on more of the concrete forms for the foundation of the house.  So we stopped and helped mix and haul concrete.  What a great blessing to be a part of helping in this way.

We were a part of the cement bucket brigade and assisted in the mixing.  I really appreciate cement trucks about now.
The completed wall foundations are just behind me with the new forms to the right.

With Ceila and Sandra in front of their home.
Still in great shape 4 years post repair.

Once the forms were filled we continued on to the home of Ceila, which we helped repair the 2nd trip in 2010.  The house looks great and she is doing well.  Only one of here daughters, Sandra, was home but we were able to share a greeting from Cornerstone and from the Chandler family who sponsors Elva one of her other daughters.  I learned from Carlos that part of the problem Elva faced was her dependence on her ex-husband who had moved on to another woman.  As FH worked with Ceila to provide her own financial support they discovered that she has a very extensive knowledge of medicinal uses for local plants.  She now gathers the plentiful plants and leaves and sells them at a local market now supporting her family using what God has already provided her.

Enjoying a lunch of beef with peppers, rice, beans, and local vegetables.
With Carlos our #1 co-ordinator and Cesar a local FH staff member who has
helped us all week.

After another hour of lunchtime hospitality at Jahaira's home, we returned to the church for a continuation of the church leadership training.  About 10 people from 3 or 4 churches made the trip in pouring rain to look into some deeper concepts of theology.  We looked at issues including Justification, Sanctification, Perseverance, Election and a Theology of Man.  The Bible passages we looked at were not new to them but to have them presented in a organized fashion like this was new to them.  Guadalupe, the Mayor of Sierra Prieta, said, "With this information we now have a Bible School in our homes.  This book can help us study the Bible in a way we never could before."  The book is 20 Christian Beliefs by Wayne Grudem.

Theology training in Sierra Prieta.   

Having copies in 2 languages helped with
the translation of technical words.

We were able to stop by and see Angelo our final sponsored child.  He was out tending to the pigs (2 I think) when we showed up.  It was great to meet him and his family for the first time.  Please pray with us for his father to find work.

With Angelo and his family

After the training we were given a warm send off by the community.  Well wishes were sent to all those who were not able to come, in particular Lori, Dan and Roberto.  We were wished well by Jahaira, Vasilia, Juliana, Rosie, Monica, Pastor Segundino, Guadalupe, and a few more whose names I've lost.  I took the time remind them that though only Holden and I had come we were not on our own.  The church of Cornerstone is solidly behind them and they can look forward to us returning with a larger team next year as God allows.

This evening we returned to the regional office where we have been staying and were overwhelmed by a very thoughtful Thanksgiving feast prepared by the FH staff, particularly by Taina who is the coordinator for the Cascade Groups in 5 communities which serve the women in there. Kelvin showed up with the turkey and cake just in time.  It was a real party. We were joined by many of the FH staff and Jennifer Carlos' girlfriend.  We are blessed to receive such great hospitality here.

In front are mashed potatoes with melted cheese, going counter clockwise from that are rolls, turkey, beans and rice and cake.
in the middle is fruit and crackers.  Holden and I both ate enough to really feel like we were at home for Thanksgiving.

Tomorrow we will have some more information about the building project Cornerstone has funded as well as a report from FH headquarters in the Dominican Republic.