We are in the middle of dry season where the grass is brown and there are wide cracks in the dirt. You have to watch where you walk or you'll twist your ankle. There are men who walk around with dirt in a wheelbarrow and try to fill in the cracks so the football players don't get hurt but it really seems like an endless job. The breeze is blowing nice and the kites are flying high.
We welcomed Dervin and Lydia Seibel to our staff team February 25. John and Rachel Brubaker came the same day Dervin's did and are staying until April 19. We have been so blessed by them being here. John's live right under Dervin's and they are the perfect couple to answer questions and show Dervin's (& us) around. It was also so helpful to have them here while Faith High School was here last week.
We know that "God is good all the time", but we will admit that we did not do so well at finding joy in the journey when we were alone. And, really we were never alone, yet we have felt very low at times during the last 6 months. We know that God will continue to give grace for each day.. and try to remember that the fruit usually grows best in the valleys...
February 23 was sports day. It is like a track and field day and they practice for this day for weeks.
Sid Cadore and Tracy Bauman were united in marriage March 5. It was a beautiful sunny day with friends and family to witness their special day.
There is an almond tree right outside of our place and the children were having fun breaking them open. They have a purplish color inside that stains so it made a big mess under the shed.
March 13th (Sunday) our church sang at a mental hospital and then went on a hike. Activities like this happen a lot more when Pastor John is around.
March 19th (Saturday) the Faith High Seniors came. We always look forward to our week with them. They come prepared to teach VBS and bring their own cooks who also cook for those of us that host the group. Having our meals made for us is the part I look forward to the most!
The Seniors and our youth staff walked around Sunday afternoon and passed out invitations and then we recorded an invitation message and let it blare through the communities as we drove around.
Sunday evening we made pizza and took it to Fort Frederick for a picnic.
First day of VBS! Our OBMM staff are guides for the week. It's a fun week but tiring after feeling like you work as a Policeman all week.
General assembly at 9:00 every morning.
We have 3 divisions, younger (4-8), older (9-12), and youth (13 and up). The younger and older divisions have 5 stations where they rotate every 20 min. (Bible lesson, snack and games, Bible memory and singing, and lesson reinforcement). The youth class has 2 teachers that split the time in half with a snack in between.
Here is Bible memory and singing...
Snack and games...
Lesson Reinforcement.....
Craft...
Youth class (snack time)
This was my little class of ages 1 1/2 - 3. It was basically the mission staff children but I also got a little Grenadian one day that came because her sister said she was 4. Sometimes it is hard to really tell what ages the children are but when they come in pampers, I think they are too young:) Our rotations consisted of craft, play time, and snack . Next year I should add Bible lesson and singing:) I was in charge of the Bible School snack too, so I was kept busy watching these little ones and making sure the snack stations had what they needed.
Morgan, Monique, Rebecca, and the little 4 year old in a pamper:)
The guides walked around with an age group every day and kept track of who had the best behavior, next best behavior, and who attended all week. Here were some children who got best behavior and next best behavior and had perfect attendance.
In the afternoons and evenings, our staff had activities planned for the High School. These are just random pictures of things we did throughout the week.
Cut down coconuts.
Spent time in the playing field with the community children.
The 2 boys are Himron and Jamari.
Went to the beach.
Flew Euran's kite. This was a 6-7 man operation!
Had cottage meeting for an elderly woman.
Went sightseeing and had several picnics.
Mr. Fox and Becky on the right. They got to go first since it was their Anniversary!!!
VBS ended on Friday morning. On Saturday, we invited all the children back to the playing field for games. Everyone enjoyed it and it was hard to tell the children to go home. Lunch was at 11:30 and the Seniors loaded their suitcases and left for the airport at 12:30.
Angelina
Mr. Austin was holding things for people so they could play games. I think he enjoyed his job.
I'm pretty sure this little guy never had the privilege to hold a camera before or was ever allowed to walk around and take pictures. He was watched very closely and enjoyed showing people the pictures he was taking.
Good bye FMH Seniors! We enjoyed having you here and thank you for making VBS a success!!Congratulations as you graduate and our encouragement to you is to seek Jesus as you make life's decisions!
