The bright yellow thing in the sky appeared again this morning. It was great to see it and feel the warmth from it after a couple of cold, rainy, overcast days. After breakfast and devotions we started to work on setting the final 12 posts for the fort. However, there was still too much water and mud in the post holes that had been previously dug, so we had to delay that project again. We ended up gathering more firewood and searched around in areas of the camp that had not yet been explored.
We did not have a soccer game scheduled for today so the guys were able to get some extra rest. Some of them have been fighting with colds that have been developing for the past few days. The wet weather and cooler temperatures have resulted in some sore throats and runny noses. We have been encouraging them to drink lots of water and get some extra rest. Becca Vallette was able to provide some cough and cold medicine for us. Hopefully, the team will be back to full strength on Monday for our last soccer game in Salto.
Shortly after lunch, we went into town to hold a children’s soccer clinic. There were between 10-15 boys and girls who showed up and everyone had a great time. Coach Andrew did an outstanding job teaching the young Uruguayans about not having an “elephant touch” on the soccer ball. The soccer team members helped to give individual attention to each child and provided “targets” for the children to shoot at. The children all seemed to enjoy the “Sharks and Minnows” game. Ben Cummins shared about the “ball of many colors” with the children at the end of the session. We presented two of the colorful soccer balls to Guillermo, one of the deacons in the church. As the children play with them, we hope they will be reminded of the message they represent.
After the clinic, we spent time with the “jovenes” (youth group at the church). Saturday is their weekly fellowship time and it began this week with some of them, accompanying us into the downtown area of Paysandu. There was a lot of activity downtown and many people were buying gifts for tomorrow’s Dia Del Niño (Children’s Day). Four or five of our team members went with a couple of the jovenes in each group, just in case we needed some interpreters.
Everyone returned to the church by 8:00 pm for the youth meeting. We sang songs, shared testimonies of thankfulness, sang more songs, enjoyed a picture-search game (prizes for the winners), more testimonies and songs, and then had a Bible study. Grant Chai gave his testimony of salvation and Zach Haese led the Bible study. Caleb Salsman interpreted for both of them. Caleb also shared his personal testimony with the jovenes. He obviously didn’t need an interpreter.
After the Bible Study, we were treated to a traditional Uruguayan dish with beans and rice. The fellowship then moved out to the back yard of the church for a friendly soccer match, Americans vs. Uruguayans. Everyone had a lot of fun cheering for the goals that were scored. It didn’t matter which team scored, everyone cheered just the same. We stayed at the church until 11:30 pm. By the time we got back to camp and organized a few things for Dia del Niño, it was well after midnight. We have an early morning wake-up call and a busy day tomorrow for this special day.
Team Testimony from Micah Herron:
Today was “Work Day 2010”. Which really means nothing being as how most of gallivanted all morning. Because of the late night on Friday night, Danny and Coach graciously moved breakfast to 9:30. As every morning goes we all mosey on over to the cafeteria congregate around the wood stove and try and thaw out our frozen fingers and toes. Breakfast quickly follows after that, and by that time we are all chomping at the bits to eat. We had French Toast, one of my personal favorites. I think I just about ate a whole loaf of bread… Needless to say, meals are “muy importante’” to me.
One of the highlights of my day is being able to study God’s word with my brothers. I am learning to cherish these times because as a senior they will be few and far between in a setting like this. We have been studying through Galatians. This morning’s passage was on walking in the spirit. I have heard this all my life. My parents have ingrained this into my head, thankfully, but many times I find this difficult to live out practically. I think this is a struggle we all go through as believers. Paul goes on to explain how our flesh is warring against our spirit. I find myself getting discouraged because of this sometimes, but then right as that low point comes, hope comes jumping into the picture. But the spirit is warring back at my flesh. Praise God we have already won the victory over sin. And one day this war is going to be over, and I cannot wait for that day to come.
So after Bible study Danny had us do some odd jobs around the camp. One of them was to haul the firewood from the woods to the edge so it could be picked up quicker. As many of us were doing this we happened upon a tree that was about dead and decided to help the death process and break it down. Now if you can imagine 7 or 8 college guys standing around a dead tree with no chainsaws or tools to cut it down, something stupid was probably thought up. Well we decided to have someone climb the tree, work their way out to the edge of a branch, hang all their weight on it to see if it would break. And much to our delight, they broke. One right after the other. The funniest part of all this was that every time someone hung on the branch they usually proceeded to fall on their back while the rest of the guys gave manly grunts and hoots and hollers. That was our “work” for the day. Don’t tell Danny…
Later in the day, we had an opportunity to do a soccer clinic for some kids at the church. We ran drills, played games and were able to share the gospel at the end. The rest of the day we had to go shopping around town with some of the youth guys. These guys grew on each one of us. The more time we spent with them, will make it all the more difficult to say goodbye. That evening we all rendezvous back at the church for a youth night where we were able to fellowship and challenge the youth here through God’s word. On trips like this, you begin to appreciate these times more than the times you get to just cruise. The kids here live a simple, content life. They do their duties and are thankful for what they have. They have been a conviction to me. I have been thankful to be removed from all the media, wifi (most of the time), and my cell phone. When you step back from the busyness of life, you are reminded of what is important in life- Jesus Christ, the Word, and People. Yeah, sure these kids have their struggles, but what an honor and privilege it was to challenge the youth with a verse that has made an imprint on my life- Micah 6:8. God asks us to be right, be loving, and to be humble.
I am enjoying my time here and am eternally gratefully for an opportunity to be entrusted with the gospel of Jesus Christ- the message of the Cross. God has given us a platform because of a few abilities he has blessed us with. But all through Galatians Paul continually points back to what is most important which is the Cross of Jesus Christ. Thank you to all who gave towards this trip and those who are praying. Please continue to do so as we strive together to reach more souls for the Kingdom.
Honor,
Micah
Galatians 6:14
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