friday

(Friday)
Hello everyone!
We are still alive and well =) We didn’t have a whole lot of time to sit down and write everything down so I apologize for that.

Where do we start? The orphanage! I think the last time I wrote, we were on our way to the orphanage. Wow. Each night we went to the orphanage, the kids would be shy in the beginning, but 10 minutes later we’ll have them chasing us, on our backs, and holding our hands. We went three nights (after painting the gym walls) to the orphanage and it was definitely our favorite part of the day. Each one of us connected with many kids and it really broke us when we had to say bye to them the last night (Wednesday).

That night, the pastor gathered everyone together, putting us in the middle and having the kids surround us by hugging and holding hands. We didn’t know what was going on, but we went along with it. One of the kids started praying for us; he would pray something and the kids would repeat after him. The thing that caught me was that he was praying for us. We came to bless them and pray for them, but here we were being prayed for by a precious boy who doesn’t have the things most children have. The pastor later told us that it was the first time for the kids to pray for other people who have come to help them. They were learning and witnessing how to pray and love others. Amazingly, we were able to be a part of it.

I think all of us felt the real meaning of God being in our midst when two or three are gathered in His name. We have our plans and our visions, but we really have to let God take control because he does things beyond our prayers and our plans. I believe that’s what he did that night. It was amazing.

So after three days of painting and visiting the kids, we were on to another project.

On Thursday, we had the hardest day of labor. We were laying down cement for a church that Shalom Church was helping out. You’ll see it in the pictures, but they have a tent-like structure set up, but there was only dirt for the floor. Odessa pointed out that we were helping to literally build the foundation of the church, so that was pretty cool. We shoveled gravel and sand into buckets, which were mixed in a cement mixer with water and the cement mix. Then, they were poured on the ground and smoothed out to make the floor smooth. It required a lot of strength and labor. The sun was especially HOT that day so we all got a lot of sun.

After coming back to the hotel, we rested, took showers, then went out to the souvenir shops and walked around the park near our hotel. People are so relaxed here in the afternoon (lunch is their biggest meal of the day), so it was great to stroll along the streets with both locals and tourists.

After a delicious dinner at Shalom, we went to see the women’s talent show in the gymnasium. They beautifully decorated the gym so the women of the church could show their talents. They were singers, magicians, dancers, storytellers, etc… There were many talented and entertaining people there and it was great to see all of them being so supportive and loving towards each other.

When it was time to go, we were waiting outside the church and two gentlemen approached us. They were musicians that were playing live jazz right across the street from the church and they invited us. We’ve been wanting all week to hear some live music or dancing so it was a great chance for us to go enjoy it. The keyboardist was actually the keyboardist for Shalom church and there was an American saxophone player from California. We stayed for two songs, and they were SO good. We were all mesmerized by the lively beats and intricate solos the whole time. Every single player of that jazz group was so talented and they synced so well together, as they spoke through their instruments.

Today is already the last full day before we leave to see all of you tomorrow. We’re going to the caves and the ruins so we’re excited about that.


I’ll have someone update you all on the Alan, Philippe, Johnny triangle (good stuff) =)

We all to go North Point church and Buckhead, but most of us didn’t know each other when we came together for this trip. I thank God that I was able to meet everybody and go on this journey with them. Alan, one of our leaders, is such a great encourager. Whoever it is, he could create an encouraging relationship with them (phillipe haha)
Odessa, our other leader, has the most infectious laugh ever. When she cracks up, I can’t help doing the same even though I don’t know half the time what she’s laughing about. They’re such great leaders also! Ryan is such a great and funny guy, and he probably did the bulk of the labor with Alan. We couldn’t have done this without him! The thing about this group is that nobody complains! Laurie is definitely our sugar high for the days. She is always entertaining us with her songs, stories, and her many boyfriends here =) (just kidding) Bonnie is a laid back and chill girl that everyone likes to hang out with. This morning, she shared her devotional with us (each morning, one person shares one). It was Luke 12 and she really put in perspective about how much we want things and update things that we don’t really need. Especially after seeing the needs here and meeting with the kids, following Jesus isn’t about going to the coolest church or having the slickest bible, tv, ipod i-whatevers, etc…. It’s about simply loving Jesus and following Him and wanting nothing more. It reminds me of a saying “ Live simply so others can simply live”. That’s what God wants and that’s how we need to live. Thanks Bonnie for reminding us again.

We’re almost done here in Merida, Mexico and while it was short, it was amazing. When we get back, we’re probably going to process everything that happened here and everything we were able to witness and experience. Again, thank you all and thank you God for showing us that you’re alive here in Merida, in Atlanta, and all over the world.