Sunday

DISCLAIMER: All comments will be read to the entire group.  The writer is not responsible for embarrassment or humiliation.

Today was a great day.  We woke up this morning and had a big, wonderful breakfast before loading up for church.  We first went to mass at the Leon Cathedral, which is the oldest Cathedral in Central America.  It was absolutely beautiful and we were able to join in the hymn, "The Battle Hymn of the Republic."  It was in Spanish, but some of the words in the chorus are about the same in English.  We also took communion at the Cathedral, which was a really neat experience.

After the Cathedral, we went to Mision Evangelica Metodista (the Methodist church in Reuben Dario -- the neighborhood adjacent to El Ayudante).  We sang praise songs with the church in both Spanish and English.  It was awesome how the song leaders had learned praise songs in English and we were able to all sing along.  Several of the team members also lead the entire church in songs.  After all of the singing, the children were released for Sunday School while the adults stayed in church for a sermon.  Most of us went with the children, where we sang songs, learned about Noah's Ark, and had a pinata.  We also gave each of the children worm medicine, and gave them cookies and milk to wash down the pills.  

We had lunch at the team house and then the team split up.  Many of us went to the beach with the older kids from HCN, while the rest went to the movies and pizza parlor with the younger children.  The beach was sunny and warm, and everyone had a great time looking for shells.  The girls all got in the water, and John and Len joined in for a bit.  Dinner was at a restaurant at the beach, and they had some wonderful food.  The movie/pizza group went to see "Hotel for Dogs."  The kids loved it, and the team members enjoyed the pictures but it was in Spanish so they did not know what was being said.  The kids all had big sodas and by the time they arrived at the pizza parlor, the kids were wild and wound up.  

They went to another church after the movie and pizza, where Chuck gave his testimony.  Everyone said he did a fabulous job, and it was a wonderful service.  It was a church that was started through a recovery program, so we gave them some Celebrate Recovery materials that were in Spanish.  In the service, an 86 year old lady gave her life to Christ for the first time.  It was an amazing experience for all that were present.

We have just prepared about 175 sandwiches, health kits, and school kits for our day tomorrow.  We are enjoying our time together and laughing lots.  We enjoy our time at the end of the day when we discuss the events of the day and reflect with one another.  Everyone is still happy and healthy.  Thanks for the prayers and the comments.  We have enjoyed reading them.  Keep 'em coming!  We love y'all!