Day 3 - Tuesday, October 14

Thought it would be good for you to get a chance to hear from individual team members today - so here goes:

Kevin - I started the day with a sledgehammer doing tear down of old cabinets and counters in preparation for converting a kitchen area into a dedicated infirmary/sick bay at the children's home. From there, I got a driver "Rudy" to take me over to the Arthur Ministry Center (where we did our major construction project in 2006)....fortunately, I had a good memory for how to get there, because my driver had no idea ;-) Once I got to the Arthur Center, one of the highlights of my trip was in store as Daniel Bucher took me to visit Jimuel and his family. Jimuel was the little boy who we put in contact with surgeons to do a major facial reconstructive surgery. What a joy to see him smile and laugh and to hold him and meet his young 20 year old mother. Despite the absolute squalor and human waste all around, the joy on the face of Helen, his mother, as she told me what a difference it would make in their lives!

Brigitte - Yesterday we went to the Arthur Center, that was the place that we helped build on last time we were here. It was amazing to see the finished place and how God is using the ministry. I also got to see Andrea whose father two years ago was dying of cancer and since has passed away. She is a young lady who was 16 and she was taking care of her dad, her mom, and her siblings. She is almost 19 and her goal is to study nursing and become a nurse. Her outlook and attitude of her life gives me great inspiration for my life. Her attitude is always the best and she is excited about life. Today I get to do something I love to do with Cindy, which is planting vegetables and flowers.

Carylyn - I'm thankful for the kitchen staff who have a great smile every morning and the joy in their face, making meals, baking cookies and the like. What a wonderful example of a servant attitude and a humble spirit that reflects Christ's love. I would love to echo that attitude.

Cindy - While we were at the Arthur Center, we handed out glowing bracelets. I accidentally wore one of the glowing bracelets up to the Children's Home before supper time last night. The kids remembered that we brought them here two years ago. It caused quite a commotion and some kids got out of line for supper to ask about them. I told them that it was a surprise.

Annette - We packed so much into yesterday. We did destruction in the morning, scraping paint, taking apart a kitchen. After that we needed showers before going to the Arthur Center, where we had an impromptu VBS. We came up with a quick story of the loaves and fish, did some coloring and face painting, and had games in the play yard. The highlight for me was a few of the girls made paper flowers and notes just for me, thanking me for coming and the pictures the kids drew saying that Jesus loves us.

Dave - You know how sometimes we are working with a group and start thinking that some of the others are not doing as much as you or not working as hard as you, this trip has opened my eyes to the shortcomings of my own soul. I tend to do that but this group has made me realize how much God has endowed each of us with our own gifts and to use them to the fullest is the most important thing. We need your continued prayers and you love of the Lord will be spread. We are becoming a group I am proud to be serving with. God Bless.

Mack-We began the day with team devotions and were reminded from Romans 8:28 that God will work through all things if we love Him. As others have said we began with destruction and ended with building up as we met for devotions at the end of the day with the children at the home. I showed them pictures on my computer from our last trip and they were really excited by that. Earlier as others have said we visited the Arthur center where we worked so hard on construction last time and were thrilled to see the physical completion and the quality of the facility. More importantly to see what Dan Bucher and his staff are doing to reach out to that community confirmed in our hearts how God does work through all things. Whether those things are swinging a sledge hammer or holding a child, He works!!!

God bless you all.