[News] 2-22-2010

[Berkshire Mission]

Feb. 22, 1010

 

Hello dear friends,

 

Well the race is on and with the grace of Jesus we are fit for it.  This is
the day that not only do we have our regular work to do but now add on an
evangelistic thrust.  We have been fed well, both spiritually and physically
this past week and should be up for it.  The excitement is high that is for
sure,

Today the construction team started the slow tedious job of framing the
doors and windows.  Some of our team took advantage of this time to walk to
the local school and speak with the students who are learning English.  This
was a great time for them to practice speaking in real context.  Those doing
this were Amy, 

Dave, Donna, and Jan.  It was a fun and useful diversion for both sides.

There were 199 blocks set  today on church building, it is coming along
nicely and on schedule.  Don't forget we are planning to do more than what
is usual on these buildings.  We are planning on putting down a side walk
and a stone wall in front of the church, all paid for by Berkshire Mission.

The medical clinic saw 300 patients and the nurses vaccinated 200.  In the
dental clinic  25 patients were seen and 75 extractions were done.  The
optical clinic fitted 175 pair of glasses which Nancy said was the busiest
day here  so far.  Tresa said they had a problem in the pharmacy today with
folks coming and demanding drugs without a prescription and they had to be
turned away. 

Now for the news of the meetings.  We arrived early at the Central church
only to find it already filling up with people.  Kim had set up a coloring
station for any early arrivals ,which was a good thing as the children were
pouring in.  Well Pastor Rigo's stress on starting at 7 "pronto" was well
heeded, and the folks were flowing as a great wave into the church.  Every
seat was filled and they were still coming.  We asked that our team and  all
local members would please step outside to allow for guest to have the
seating.  We all did this and were still overflowing.  There was and
estimated 450 adults present and 175 children. and they were here before the
start.  There were some local women presenting special music for the folks
as they waited for Pastor Rigo.  Then at exactly 7 p.m. Pastor Rigo began to
speak and instantly the electric went out!  There was a wide spread outage
in several cities.  Now the fact that it happened right on the moment of 7
pronto is very spiritually suspicious.  While wide spread outages is not
unusual here the exact timing was.  It was only a few minutes and the local
members had candles lighted in the church and in the VBS area.  They carry
them in their pockets for just such a time. Not one person left the meeting.
With out having a microphone it was rather hard for the folks outside to
hear what was being said clearly. Pastor Rigo said his opening sermon was to
be on the plan of salvation, but during his prayer time the night before, he
heard the Lord tell him to change it.  He was to preach on the 2nd coming of
Christ.  He had no idea why it was to be changed but that he heard the Lord
correctly was no doubt.  Perhaps the Lord will reveal to us the reason for
the change as time goes on this week, but if not we will wait until Heaven
to hear the rest of the story.  These people are hungry for the word of God
and by His grace and mercy they will be fed well this week.

Of course with out power VBS was changed drastically, not being able to do
the puppet ministry or use the projector . It was amazing to see how quickly
our team came up with ideas to fill in.  Wonderful stories were told by many
of the workers to the children.  Lavinia  told a very animated story while
Tom translated it to Spanish. Melissa was still able to give her little
health nugget talk and engaged the children's help.  Our Berkshire Hills
students had drawn beautiful pictures depicting the laws of health and were
put on a large whiteboard for display.  The children were all able to see
this as they came in to the VBS before the electric went out. Tomorrow's
meetings will go much easier, and after seeing that the people were still
involved and staying without lights gives us courage to know all is well and
the Lord is still in control.

When we got back to the University tonight the lights were also out here.
With the help of flashlights we were able to make it to our rooms and in to
beds that were calling our names.  With a happy heart for knowing that we
serve a God that is all powerful we rest well tonight.
Thank you Father for allowing us to work for you!

Continue those faithful prayers for the souls in Mexico dear friends.  Won't
it be wonderful when we will be able to sit at the feet of Jesus along with
our Mexican friends?  Knowing that we have all eternity to hear the stories
we knew nothing about while on earth.  What a lofty thought to fall asleep
to. 

Good night my friends, rest well in Jesus, he has always loved you best!

Don't forget to P.U.S.H.

Smiles in thankfulness.,

Jennifer Young, Mission Reporter

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