The business of writing these notes is very therapeutic for me at the end of each day and it's a real privilege to share about our time here with the Venezuelan people on behalf of our group. Let me just say that I didn't think I could love this group of students and adults more than I already do - I was wrong! It's been so great seeing and hearing about their experiences and witnessing the excitement and even the occasional trepidation in their faces as they meet new joys and challenges everyday.
Suffice it to say that everyone is healthy and we are surviving the 98% humidity and scorching sun. None of us are sunburned (perhaps a little pink), no dehydration issues (thanks to the Venezuelan church members who provide us with plenty of bottled water), and no injuries to report...so that's a huge blessing.
Today we worked with another church and did door-to-door evangelism in a very poor neighborhood. I rode a firetruck for over five years and never saw this kind of poverty, although I have been in thousands of homes. While I saw versions of most modern appliances in most of the homes today, I have to tell you that they were old, most of them were only partially functional, and none of them were stainless steel. Yet these people possess a happiness and a contentedness that is apart from life is supposed to move slower, otherwise inexplainable. Most of them were not Christians either, so I can't pass it off as "Christian serenity."
We witnessed a softball game today as well. The field is not the best one I've ever seen, but they do have a covered grandstand and there are covered dugouts. The young men (mostly teenagers and some early 20's) warmed up and then played a full game. The umpire is a friend of theirs from the community and his decisions go unchallenged - that would be nice in America! They played for a couple hours, stopped for lunch, and came back for an afternoon match. Many people turned out to watch and the children played nearby, on piles of gravel and in the dirt. We were able to share small toys with the children and engage them in playful conversation - I think most of the boys and girls (ranging in age from 2 years-13 years old) really enjoyed our being there. These people have touched my soul and judging from the conversations I've had with our students and adults, they have been deeply affected as well!
We had lunch at Carlos' home. He is a member of the church and a retired teacher. He also farms (a kind of Green Acres type of guy) avocados, mangos, and some other Venezuelan fruit that I can't recall nor pronounce. Evidently he has done well with his money over the years as their home is large and very nice. The have a good sized orchard of fruit trees and fields nearby that they have mowed out a volleyball court in the tall grass. I met a young man (20) who is a cousin of Pastor Jerry, and he plays professional baseball in the Chicago Cubs Latin American farm system, in the Dominican Republic. He is a pitcher and he works very hard to master his skills. Watching him throw with his other cousin was really interesting as he is very fluid - as a professional baseball player should be. We had a long talk about life and God and he is a strong believer. I was happy to exchange contact information with him and I expect we will see him playing baseball professionally in the US in the future.
I preached at a youth service tonight. That was an experience! Preaching through a translator is not my cup of tea - so I guess I'll need to learn Spanish:) The translator (my friend Carlos) was great - but it's tough to get into a rhythm and any attempt at humor is challenging because things don't translate easily. Also, the lesson was only 15 minutes long but due to the need to repeat in Spanish, it took 30 minutes - which is still shorter than I normally preach...LOL! It was great to see my new friend Rafael (a 15 year old boy we witnessed to and invited to church) attend worship and make some new friends tonight. I am praying for him, that he will stay connected at this church. We had a great time at this church, and even managed to dodge all the falling mangos! Yes, the church is largely outdoors although the worship center has a roof and 2.5 walls.
We had dinner at Pastor Jerry's aunt and uncle's home. He is a Senator in the National Congress of Venezuela - though I did not meet him as I believe Congress is in session in Caracas. Their home is lovely and we enjoyed being there as a group tonight. We hacked open a coconut, shared the milk, and passed around pieces of the pulp. That was fun too! Then it was time for everyone to hit the sack. The days end relatively early, but the weather is very hot and humid - therefore tiring, and the work wears us out (in a good way)...so we are ready for bed by 9pm.
Tomorrow, Mark and I will preach two times each, in four different churches. Please pray for us and for our translators to honor God's Word, communicate it well, and to enjoy the privilege of teaching these incredible people. Please pray for Keila and Carlos (our translators) as well. I'll let you know how tomorrow pans out - the afternoon will be relaxed and I think we may go to the market place in the afternoon and let everyone look for souvenirs.
Love to you all and Blessings!
-kirk for the gang
Suffice it to say that everyone is healthy and we are surviving the 98% humidity and scorching sun. None of us are sunburned (perhaps a little pink), no dehydration issues (thanks to the Venezuelan church members who provide us with plenty of bottled water), and no injuries to report...so that's a huge blessing.
Today we worked with another church and did door-to-door evangelism in a very poor neighborhood. I rode a firetruck for over five years and never saw this kind of poverty, although I have been in thousands of homes. While I saw versions of most modern appliances in most of the homes today, I have to tell you that they were old, most of them were only partially functional, and none of them were stainless steel. Yet these people possess a happiness and a contentedness that is apart from life is supposed to move slower, otherwise inexplainable. Most of them were not Christians either, so I can't pass it off as "Christian serenity."
We witnessed a softball game today as well. The field is not the best one I've ever seen, but they do have a covered grandstand and there are covered dugouts. The young men (mostly teenagers and some early 20's) warmed up and then played a full game. The umpire is a friend of theirs from the community and his decisions go unchallenged - that would be nice in America! They played for a couple hours, stopped for lunch, and came back for an afternoon match. Many people turned out to watch and the children played nearby, on piles of gravel and in the dirt. We were able to share small toys with the children and engage them in playful conversation - I think most of the boys and girls (ranging in age from 2 years-13 years old) really enjoyed our being there. These people have touched my soul and judging from the conversations I've had with our students and adults, they have been deeply affected as well!
We had lunch at Carlos' home. He is a member of the church and a retired teacher. He also farms (a kind of Green Acres type of guy) avocados, mangos, and some other Venezuelan fruit that I can't recall nor pronounce. Evidently he has done well with his money over the years as their home is large and very nice. The have a good sized orchard of fruit trees and fields nearby that they have mowed out a volleyball court in the tall grass. I met a young man (20) who is a cousin of Pastor Jerry, and he plays professional baseball in the Chicago Cubs Latin American farm system, in the Dominican Republic. He is a pitcher and he works very hard to master his skills. Watching him throw with his other cousin was really interesting as he is very fluid - as a professional baseball player should be. We had a long talk about life and God and he is a strong believer. I was happy to exchange contact information with him and I expect we will see him playing baseball professionally in the US in the future.
I preached at a youth service tonight. That was an experience! Preaching through a translator is not my cup of tea - so I guess I'll need to learn Spanish:) The translator (my friend Carlos) was great - but it's tough to get into a rhythm and any attempt at humor is challenging because things don't translate easily. Also, the lesson was only 15 minutes long but due to the need to repeat in Spanish, it took 30 minutes - which is still shorter than I normally preach...LOL! It was great to see my new friend Rafael (a 15 year old boy we witnessed to and invited to church) attend worship and make some new friends tonight. I am praying for him, that he will stay connected at this church. We had a great time at this church, and even managed to dodge all the falling mangos! Yes, the church is largely outdoors although the worship center has a roof and 2.5 walls.
We had dinner at Pastor Jerry's aunt and uncle's home. He is a Senator in the National Congress of Venezuela - though I did not meet him as I believe Congress is in session in Caracas. Their home is lovely and we enjoyed being there as a group tonight. We hacked open a coconut, shared the milk, and passed around pieces of the pulp. That was fun too! Then it was time for everyone to hit the sack. The days end relatively early, but the weather is very hot and humid - therefore tiring, and the work wears us out (in a good way)...so we are ready for bed by 9pm.
Tomorrow, Mark and I will preach two times each, in four different churches. Please pray for us and for our translators to honor God's Word, communicate it well, and to enjoy the privilege of teaching these incredible people. Please pray for Keila and Carlos (our translators) as well. I'll let you know how tomorrow pans out - the afternoon will be relaxed and I think we may go to the market place in the afternoon and let everyone look for souvenirs.
Love to you all and Blessings!
-kirk for the gang
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