10 Families and so much more

Today is the day that we get to spend time with the 10 families that will be receiving homes this week. We'll be building in a community called San Jacinto. It's located somewhere about 15 or 20 minutes, in the hills, beyond San Felipe.

Our devotion to start the day came from Romans 15:7..."accept one another just as Christ has accepted you in order to bring praise to God." We talked about the importance of being open, taking initiative and expressing value about others, even others different than us. The reminder, from God's Word, is that God's mission is accomplished through acceptance as people are brought to into the family of God (v.9). Even better, there is a promise or blessing that "the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (v.13).

Who doesn't want to be filled with joy and peace?  Who doesn't want to overflow with hope?

So we met our families, got to know their names and a little bit about their lives. We played games, jumped rope, played frisbee and coloured some pages. They welcomed us, so warmly,  and we are learning to welcome them.

We then visited with our good friend, Basilio and his family. Again he accepted us, without knowing we were coming and we had a chance to demonstrate our acceptance of him: as different team members shared how his friendship and partnership in this ministry has blessed us over the nine years we've known each other.

We went to the church service this evening. The church has changed it's name to "Refugio y vida" (Shelter and Life). We were accepted, greeted warmly and thanked deeply for our commitment to this church family over the years. Many of the songs had english lyrics also on the screen, another demonstration of acceptance.

We ended the evening with the Sunday night tradition of Pollo Campero, the fried chicken place that makes every trip worthwhile, where we gladly accepted our three pieces of fried chicken and papas fritas!!

A late night huddle to recap the day and the recognition that the real work of building homes and accepting one another begins tomorrow (Monday). May God give us joy and peace and hope as we enter into these relationships that He has prepared for us!

Thanks for your interest and prayer!