Week of Recovery

During the last two weeks the interns have definitely felt the exhaustions of our bodies. Almost every single one of us has been sick, either stomach or cold, but thankfully we haven’t had a team so we have been able to move at a slower pace and let our bodies rest. Not only have we been able to physically recovery but also able to refocus and spend large amounts of time in the word and prayer as a group. This past week with the kids from Tejaban we taught in ESL words associated with religion, mainly Christianity. Up until this point the gospel has not been shared as much as we would have hoped so as a group we decided it was our time to do so. After spending almost 4 hours preparing the lesson, making sure we covered enough material so they understood but did make it too complicated, because there are some topics of the Christian faith that are VERY complicated. We wrote down verses to share with them, in both Spanish and English, hoping they would understand what Christ did on the grace. We shared verses about faith, grace, and the gift of eternal life. We struggled at with having too many verses and not wanting the kids to fill overwhelmed. We also were going to open the camp back up later that night for a movie night with the kids cause they loved it when one of the teams did that. Well 4:15 rolls around and some of the older girls come into camp, then 4:20, then 4:30 (when we normally start) we have about 5 kids, 4 girls 1 boy. We decided to go ahead and start and if more decide to come then great. More kids did show up, but no kid had the intention of learning English. We had papers being thrown everywhere; a snakehead was pulled out at one point. After attempting to teach them the lesson we finally let them go play. Feeling discouraged we all went outside hoping playing would help, it didn’t. Basketballs and soccer balls were being thrown over the fence to be “borrowed”, another child throw a basketball at a sick bird trying to kill it, only for him to be escorted out of camp. Once all the kids left camp, we were very discouraged. We could sense the doings of Satan. There is always some type of opposite when the gospel is presented and I fully believe that now. We gathered around for a time of prayer. Tried to move on and get ready for the movie night. We set up the projector and sound system. I sat looking around camp and see the interns spread out around camp with Bibles in hands and head bowed. It was an awesome picture to see that we are frustrated and discouraged we turned to Him who is in control. He holds those Tejaban kids. We had no control over their salvation, we can present the gospel but that is all. He is the one who waters the seed NOT US. After spending some time in the word and prayer, we get ready for kids to come for movie night. Our spirits are lifted a little. 7:00 rolls around…then 7:15…7:30…at 7:45 we clean up the movie stuff and come to terms with the fact that no kids are coming. We tell ourselves the reason they couldn’t come is because they had homework and graduation from primary school was the next day. So we played cards instead, it always puts us in a better mood. I don’t tell you this story because I want you to feel sorry for us. I tell you this story so that you will get on your knees for these kids. Even though the frustrate us we love them to death and want to see them in Heaven. We are at the point now where all we can do is pray and love them. This has been yet again another learning experience for us. Continue to learn that we don’t have the power to save; we have the power of prayer.  I am grateful for all of your prayers for these children, keep them coming. Lets flood the throne with prayers for these kids’ salvation.