reposteria

We started a small baking class last week. Since pretty much all of the girls in Los Higos and the surrounding communities have learned to knit, we needed something new to do. We had our first class last Friday. I split the girls into two baking groups, so we will all fit in the kitchen, and this Friday the other group will bake. In this picture group 1 poses by their first cake- a carrot cake.

When we bake we will always have some down time while we wait for whatever we are making to bake. I am debating how to best use this time. Last time I wasn't real prepared, so we just played charades. I would like, however, to use that time to do something productive and edifying or educational for the girls. Any ideas?

Today was our last day talking about health. A nurse from the rural clinic in the neighboring community came to talk to them about preventing and treating tuburculosis. I was surprised that the clinic has a new doctor and she wanted to come along! It turns out that she is a Christian and is really excited about what we are doing in the Women's Center. When I told her that I want to soon start a series with the girls on dating and marriage she offered to come back and talk with them about waiting to get married, family planning, STDs, etc. I'm really excited at the possibility of partner with her and helping her to establish a ministry in the community, too.

shoe crew

During Easter week we had a team visit from Indiana that called themselves the shoe crew. They came to do running races with the kids in Los Higos and then give shoes to each participant.

A lot more kids than expected came to the baseball diamond to participate. The older boys especially seemed to enjoy the different races. Following the race, there was a devotional comparing racing to life and with a message of winning the prize that comes from following Christ.

After devotional, each child was called up to receive a pair of tennis shoes and have their feet washed and to be prayed over. After the washing, the new shoes were placed on the kid's feet. What a special moment!

Unfortunately the team could only give shoes to those that had been signed up ahead of time. A lot of kids came hoping to get shoes, but they weren't on the list.

It's hard to know how to best be generous in the community. A lot of people in the community really do need shoes. Plus, having tennis shoes encourages the kids to play sports and run, which is the type of healthy activity we desire them to participate in in their free time. So, it seems that if we are going to give the community a material item, shoes would be a good one to give.

Yet, giving things out in the community can also send the message, which we don't want to send, that we see them as poor people that need hand-outs. Rather we want to communicate that they are rich in Christ and rich in ability. We want to send the message that we see more in them than just their material needs. And we definately do not want to encourage an attitude of entitlement in them. We want to encourage thankfulness for what they have, rather than demand for what they don't have.

I think the shoe crew learned a lot about generosity and poverty through their experience and I hope that this will shape all of our understanding of how to best help those who are in need.

despedida

Earlier this spring I asked God to send me help. I imagined having a sidekick who could help me with the load of responsabilities that I was carrying in running the women's center. Even as I prayed, I imagined there would be no way God could line someone up until summer, but I was wishing she could come immediately.

I didn't know that God had already heard my prayer and my spring intern had already bought her ticket. Stephanie came at the beginning of February with a team of women from California. Her team came for just one week, but I didn't know Stephanie had come to stay for two months!

Stephanie immediately connected with the young women (and two boys) at my site. Her visible love for them ministered to them.

It has been a blessing to have a companion, an ear, another mind to remember, an organizer, a cleaning lady, and encourager, and a friend with me each day at the site. We said good-bye to Stephanie at the site a few days ago and she will fly out in less than 24 hours. I know that she needs to return to her family back home so she may love and encourage them in her ministry there, just as she has us. I thank her family for lending her to us for this time.