in the first month

Within a 10 minute jaunt is a darling community called June 7th. We are currently discipling 6 families and conversing with several others. There is little doubt that we will begin the discipleship course with them in the upcoming weeks. One of the families that we are discipling happens to be the president of their neighborhood. They own the local “grange hall” or town meeting hall and when we explained that we were looking to secure a location to hold Vacation Bible School (in January), church services, etc, they offered it to us on the spot and do not want to be paid for its use. PRAISE THE LORD!!!
The room is really good size. I’d say 15’x20’ (and I have little to no mind for measurements—I just think it’s a good sized room). It had not been used in several years, and the floors and walls were covered about an inch think with dust, debris, and spiders. Those of you who know me, know that I perceive spiders as the lowest of God’s creations. I am terrified. But armed with brooms, Ana and I went to work cleaning the room and killing little living things. Water is only turned on in this neighborhood from 8pm till 3:30 or 4am, so after church one evening, the teens went with us and in 2 hours we had the place looking…not too shabby. It’s in desperate need of a good sanding and a coat of paint, but it’ll due for now. On Wednesdays from 3:30 till 5pm we play games here with the children and this month we will begin “Sunday School” lessons as well. We also start services for adults (and youth) this month Wednesday nights at 7.
Our first week in Puerto, to help us get our feet in the door, we went around with surveys asking basic questions about the neighborhood, the family situation, and whether there were churches close. We met Alcira’s daughters and granddaughters first. They were outside and wanted us to come meet their mom. We followed them home and met a cute little woman with a beautiful smile that she seldom shows. After talking to her for a little while, one of the little girls announced that her Dad was dead.