Wonderful Sabbath at vbs location

We had a great sabbath worship at the church where we conducted vbs during the week. Pastor Jonathan preached, our vbs team and the kids sang special music and several of our team led out in children's story.

Here are some pictures and will upload videos when I can

Dedication

We have stayed at the same hotel for both of our trips this year. One other mission group stayed there before we did.

The owner liked having our groups there so much hat they dedicated a new gazebo to Maranatha groups. It was very sweet. Here is a picture of the plaque and the gazebo

Finished!

We got done with all the block on both buildings and the roof on one. Praise the lord we had good weather and no rain today that allowed us to finish.

The team finished strong but are very tired.

Here are some pictures of the building and our team.

Awesome Thursday

The team did great on the job site. We are completely done with the side walls and up to 17 on all end walls. God willing and it doesn't rain we will finish tomorrow and maybe get the roof on!!!!

Everyone pitched in and did what was needed. Very happy with all of the teams!

Vbs report

Our vbs crew has been amazing. They were planning on 30-40 kids and got up to 83 yesterday! Rachael ended up sending enough crafts for 60-75 kids but even that had been multiplied!

Vanessa keeps referring to the crafts as loaves and fishes because there are always enough.

Here is a picture of our vbs team serenading us with their songs

Destiny got some concrete on her today

Sent from my iPhone

Productive Wednesday

We had another rain free day and got a lot of work done. We got mostly done with the 13th course today on both buildings. God willing, we will finish the sides tomorrow and start working on the gables.

I am really pleased with how all of our new team members are doing. We have 15 first time missionaries and all are doing great!

One of our block teams are two ladies- Carolina and Roaa. The Maranatha workers and the teachers at the school have all been amazed that they are doing that and doing so well !

Great day on the jobsite

We had a day with only one brief rain shower! Praise the lord.

We got almost done with the tenth course all the way around on one building and started most walls on the other building. Still a little behind but caught up a lot today.

Kenton got a little dirty today

Kenton joined our team from our spring trip from Atlanta. He decided to work construction this time and got a little dirtier than he did in the spring !!

Shoe failure

Frank had some issues with his shoes today. Luckily I carry duct tape after having a similar issue a few years ago.

Rainy Tuesday

The second day at the job site is always one of the toughest. First we had to pour the ring of concrete all the way around the building on the fourth course. Then we have to extend the vertical rebars up another five feet. Finally we have to put scaffolding up to reach higher on the wall. That took most of the morning. We got some of the seventh course laid up but haven't put the rebar in yet. We are a little behind schedule.

Part of the reason is that the skies opened up around 3:40 pm and started dumping rain on is. Even with the tarps, when it rains that hard, it is difficult to lay block. We didn't get any block laid after that.

And to add to that the water for all of La Chorrera is not working. It hasn't worked since yesterday and they cancelled school today. So that was challenging because we have to use water to make mortar and concrete. The crew was able to find water somewhere and we were able to keep working. We will pray for no rain and for the water system to begin working.

Our vbs team had a great first day. The local elder is fantastic and was a big help. They got way more kids than expected. We were told to expect 30 and 65 showed up!!! We hope that continues in spite of the rain

Sent from my iPhone

First day worksite picture

Great start to week

We had our first day on the job site today. We got done with four courses of block on both buildings. That's great considering that we have a LOT of new people laying block.

We were blessed with clouds and it only rained for a short time twice. All in all a great day on the job site.

Our vbs team had a great day as well. They got organized and made a visit to the church where they will conduct the vbs starting tomorrow.

The mayor and a lot of the team showed up to help get ready. The mayor is so impressed that he is going to throw a party for the entire group and vbs attendees with piñatas and everything on Friday when they wrap up. We have never had that type of response before!

We had two people late and they had to perform a skit for us tonight. Very entertaining by Rosa and Ariana.

Sent from my iPhone

Sabbath at job site

We had a great worship at the hotel this morning led by Julian k, destiny and pastor Jonathan. After that we headed to the school for church service. We had a great sermon by the pastor and Vanessa was nice enough to translate for us.


We got a chance to scope out the job site as well. Everything is set for us and ready to go for tomorrow. Very happy with the prep the team did for us.



Sent from my iPhone

Safely at hotel

After a longer bus ride than expected, we made it to the hotel. No problems at the airport and everyone got their luggage.

Once we got on the road, we were at a stop in traffic. There was a really bad accident and it took us twice as long as expected.

We all got into our rooms and had dinner. We have had worship and know the plan for tomorrow. God willing, we will have a great sabbath tomorrow.

Sent from my iPhone

Made it safely to Panama City

We all have arrived safely in Panama City and are on the bus to our hotel. Praise the lord that everyone's luggage arrived safely.



Sent from my iPhone

On our way to Panama

We are all at the airport and boarding the plane to Panama City. All 43 of our volunteers are ready to go do Gods work!


Pray for safety and minimal rain for our group!

Sent from my iPhone