Update #1

Hola! It is Sunday, the end of 2 1/2 days here. It was special to see everyone again and to feel the love and know how excited they are to see us. We have done a lot since we’ve been here. We are starting as a slow pace.

I did join him and help with the soccer school. it was fun working with the kids and trying to play soccer with them. I’m not sure how wise that wasn’t my age, but I still enjoyed it.

Today we prepared for the vacation Bible school we will be starting tomorrow. They also baptized three of the young people working with them here. If I understand correctly, these are students from the university who came up here to see how this ministry teaches agricultural lessons to the local people. The students work with the people in ministry and end up giving their lives to Christ. God is glorified!

Something special that happened to me today is Lexie, who came down here with us last year, was telling me about something I said about God that she still remembers and uses to this day. That blesses me to know that God uses me that way. I think that’s my place here: it’s the little things I share, mostly in personal conversations, that God seems to use. What a blessing!

Thanks again for your support. Pray the vacation Bible school goes well and that God gives us more opportunities to show His love.

God Bless, Allen

The attached pictures are of our sleeping arrangements and the climbing rope Pastor Dave gave me to remind me that I am connected through prayer to my team back home.

Update #2

The last 2 days have been a joy. Yesterday, we built most of a table; it just needs the top attached. 

 In the afternoon, we started the vacation Bible school. We had more than 70 kids. We did 3 stations. While one group was listening to a lesson, another group was doing a craft, and a third group was playing games. I’ve been helping with the games. Is fun to be in the middle of all there’s little kids having fun. We did day 2 this afternoon and it went well.

This morning started with my speech at the university. It sounds like it went very well. Paul felt that it was very helpful in building their relationship with the university. One of the leaders at the university was very happy with the whole thing.

What was special to me was what my translator Amanda said. I have known her for 3 years. She is a part of the local ministry team, and she’s always translated for us. She told me that she really believes that God speaks through me and she feels like when she translates God is speaking through her too. It brought tears to my eyes to see God working in that way. I will attach a draft of the speech if you’re interested.

Update #3

Sorry, I have waited until today to send another email. It was my idea to send an email before bed every other night, But the last few nights we have gone late and I didn’t have time.

The VBS Went very well. Personally, I mostly just played with the kids and it was fun to interact with them.

We have built two tables, and started a third. However, we didn’t have a good drill bit to drill screws in. We are going into town today, and I plan to buy them some more.

What is more important to me is the chance to talk to the people we are ministering with. Two nights ago everybody but me and another of our team left to go get hay. Dinner was ready

before the others got back and I was invited to eat before them. I was torn because I thought I should wait for everyone. However, Tania was here and she was going to eat, so I decided to go ahead.

The other member of our team was not hungry, so dinner was just Tania, Valerie, and I. It was clearly a God appointment because Tania got very personal and explaining what has been going on with her. Without saying too much, she is struggling with stepping back in the ministry. I was able to share with her the importance of letting the young people take more of a leadership role. I feel like I was able to be very encouraging, even though she already knew what she should do. It’s hard to let others do things you still feel like you can do, so it is a difficult adjustment for her.

I also got to work with Justin and build more of a relationship with him. I think that’s true with several of the young people here. It’s hard to describe how much more comfortable I feel. I’ve always felt comfortable, but it feels more regular, like I’m really a regular part of the team.

I also visited a couple of homes in the area. We talked with a 95-year-old woman who is a believer. They asked me to pray for her and bless her house.

Update #4

I got home Sunday night after midnight, but still feeling the afterglow of the experience.

On Friday, Catracho missions had a school from the city bring special needs kids to their compound. It is an opportunity to give the children some tactile experiences. They worked with vegetables, did some painting, planting, and interacted with the live animals. It's great for the children to have these experiences and for the parents to have this opportunity to interact with their children. Of course, it also provides opportunities for the group to share the gospel with the parents.

In the afternoon, we played soccer for a while with the local kids and then went into town to do a little sight-seeing.

Sunday morning before we left, we all shared what we appreciated about each other. There were many tears and we all said goodbye. I shared that I am happy to see the young people (I didn't call them that) growing in their leadership and so glad that I was able to build more personal relationships. It was an amazing experience.

On August 31st, Bethany will be having a Summer Celebration, an evening of celebrations and sharing about all of the short-term missions. I hope you plan to be there.