Yesterday we hosted a very wet and rainy, but fun fun fun Day 3 of VBS.  Our kids were particularly helpful as they loved running from one covered area to another in the rain to move things or communicate.  Then we split into groups to visit two elderly homes—see Penny’s testimony below.  The evening was an amazing time worshiping God at the first night of three Crusades—see my testimony below.  Thanks for your continued prayers.  Last day of VBS this morning and Crusade tonight.

From Penny Wood:

Half of Team Trinidad, sporting our purple t-shirts, filed into one of our two assigned buses to travel to the Hernandez Elderly Home.  We had planned a tentative program knowing full well our vision about what would happen would easily come to naught.  Hard and fast plans are incompatible with the Trinidad lifestyle.

The bus door opened and our group of adults and children poured out of our bus like thick molasses on a cold winter’s day—slowly because of the mid-day heat and because the unknown brings a little hesitancy into each of us.  We muster our courage and enter the stifling, narrow room with a single rotary fan.  

Priscilla Berry, our eloquent mistress of ceremonies, begins our visit with prayer.  We are intermingled with about 10 residents and staff.  Each of us squeezing into a nook or cranny between the sitting or reclining residents.  Our program begins:  First, a lively sing-a-long led by Aaron and Weston Welch.  The residents and staff join in singing the more familiar songs, like Amazing Grace and Blessed Assurance.  Stephen Treadwell is next up and demonstrates his gift for backwards spelling.  Karen Winn touches hearts with her stirring testimony.  The Clingenpeel sisters sing a number, some of our young people share favorite scriptures, Jessica Mosley walks among the residents telling about her salvation in Christ, Aaron and Weston finish our planned program with a guitar and violin duet.  We have ample time to meet and interact with our new friends.  Some residents and staff asked for their favorite hymns while others pray with various team members.  Priscilla thanks the Hernandez residents and staff for allowing us to visit and says a prayer for God’s blessing on these dear people.  Then it’s back to the compound to prepare for our next adventure. 

Our other half had a similar mission at the Good Shepherd Elderly Home.  Pray God will encourage and minister to these wonderful people—some are already His children.

From Lisa Hess:

We had a fabulous night at our first of three Crusades in the same village where we’ve been hosting VBS.  It’s great to see the parents coming with their kids.  We had a handful of locals there when we were scheduled to start at 7.  Of course we didn’t start until 7:30 and by 8 the place was PACKED!  This is common for Trinidad so we had loads of fun!  The choir sang, testimonies from Marci Heppner and Kirstin VanderMolen, and special music from Hung Pho and Caitlyn Clingenpeel, then Natalie Pho solo with Hung on guitar.  We adjusted the program mid-stream and Clint Shondelmyer gave a wonderful message.  The people were begging for bibles and we gladly gave them! 

We’ve had much fun in between ministries as well…an hour is more than enough time for half the group (kids and big kids) to play in the pool, our new friend Josh made sure Marsha got her Dr. Pepper, and the Pho’s don’t have a toilet seat.  When we have a few minutes we’ll try to capture some of those fun times on the blog as well!