On to the Job Sites - Reunited and Working

This morning, everyone in the group headed to the Iglesia Casa del Alfarero (The Potters House Church) in Miramar. Reunited with many of our friends the first order of business was hugs and hellos. The church here is growing steadily and quickly there was concrete being mixed, blocks being unloaded, and the sewing projects. Dr Efren along with many helpful assistants, helped clean and doctor a severely infected foot of one of our friends Nacho. The floor of the kitchen area and the walls of more bathrooms were quickly taking shape.

In the afternoon, the group split in two groups with half returning to Miramar and the other half traveling down the road to Casa Emmanuel (Emanuel’s House) to prepare for the needs of this location. In Miramar the Bible School kicked off with an Energizer song and dance to get the children ready to learn. Several children are participating the in the scripture memorization and all started decorating their tee-shirts with the theme of Rahab and the Red Rope. It could be moot to say the concrete is constantly mixing at Casa del Alfarero (it will be the same at Casa Emmanuel starting tomorrow), but hey, there is a lot of construction going on. Those who scouted the Casa Emmanuel site last year were amazed by the progress the people of that church community has already put into the structure with the walls and roof on and ready to have the floor poured and new pews built for the congregation of 50 souls.

All 39 Carpenters Have Arrived Safely in Costa Rica

The 39 participants in this year's 'In The Carpenters Footsteps' mission team woke up early Monday morning (some never going to bed packing and/or with anticipation) to fly to Costa Rica. Many people have confirmed that though they are completely exhausted…they are ready to serve the people of Miramar in the name of Christ. We met up for our reflections at the end of the day and the message is about the meaning of missions and servant hood.  Matthew 20:28 says "the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve" and so we are all called to be Christ-like, therefore we are all called to serve. We may not all called to serve abroad, but we are called to serve. Those of you who have supported us, prayed for us, sponsored us financially, or helped in any way, are here with us in spirit. Thank you!

The Banner has been created!

As one of the craft projects each child was given a square of white cotton fabric on which they were to create their own "reflection" of what they learned in bible study this week.  The women of the "sewing ministry" created the colorful panels onto which the "reflection" squares were sewn.  What's so neat is that each square has the child's name and their individual picture.  This will be hung on the wall of the church.  Isn't it beautiful.  This is just one set of panels - there are 16 in all.