A Blessed Day

L. with one of his many girlfriends!

 Yesterday we went with our church on an "Excursion". The church had rented a really nice facility that had meeting rooms, lots of grass, places to play games, bar-b-que, and to even go for a pony ride.
We all were supposed to meet at the church at 8 a.m. "en punto" to ride to the facility on a big bus together. Which means that we all got there around 8:30, actually very "en punto" for Bolivians! It was raining and I must admit it did not look like the best day for a picnic! But not being faint of heart all 80 of us loaded on the bus! It was standing room only for sure! The Lord super blessed us because when we got there about 30 minutes later, the sun came out and did not stop shining until EXACTLY when it was time to go at 5 in the afternoon.

Concentrating on the Good Stuff!

 The day flew by with lots of games and activities planned for young and old alike. After creating the blue team and the yellow team they proceeded to play a variety of very active games! Below they are getting ready to play a game where they all are holding the person in front of them in a long chain of people. They then tried to pop the balloon of the other team that was on the last person in the line. You could not let go or you lost a point! Emily is on the yellow team straight ahead in the red shirt. Myles was on the blue team. I think the blue team won when the yellow teams person in back fell on his balloon! (That was hard to explain. I hope I didn't confuse everyone!)

Here it is in action! They were flying all over the place trying to pop the other teams balloon. It reminded me of a dog chasing its tail! It actually looked quite dangerous, but thankfully, no one got hurt!

 There was lots of time to make new friends! These girls built a fort together out of rocks and grass! I wish I had gotten a picture of it... (once again not the best at pictures!)

These two super sweet ladies shared their lunch with our three little girls. When Rudi was putting Paula to bed he asked her what her favorite part of the day was and she said, "Those ladies made a picnic just for us!" This morning she was still telling me what she had eaten...beef and rice! (The pile of rocks behind them is what the girls (above) made their fort out of!)

L.to R. Janeth, K, A, Paula, and Marta

A better picture of Janeth with Paula and K.

 Janeth teaches the small children's Sunday School. She is one of the nicest people I know and a great friend!

Naptime for L.

 When all of his girlfriends finally put him down L. sacked out for a nap in the corner of the meeting room.

 After lunch it was time for Clancy's favorite thing.... WATER FIGHTS! All of the kids had a great time soaking each other in various ways.Thankfully we had brought clothes for them to change into!

"Christo ama cada uno"

The young people at our church love our little kids. Here they are singing some children's choruses with them. I have been very impressed with the quality young people that go to this church. Most of them seem to really love the Lord and are always ready to serve!

It was a very relaxing, fun day! As we rode back to the church in the bus, everyone was singing Spanish praise songs together. It was the perfect ending to a memorable day! Even though we are just beginning to learn the Spanish language, the language of love is very much a part of our Bolivian church family. It is awesome to realize that the body of Christ is everywhere in the world and it always has the love for Jesus and His people at the center.
Ephesians 2:19-22 "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit."