Monday, February 16, 2009

Each day we continue to “be amazed” by the wonders God has prepared for us. Our Monday began by rising at 3:30 am, leaving for the airport at 4:00. Flying for a time above puffy white clouds, we descended into an area of green forests. With missionary Vital Pierre, we traveled by very small taxi and pick-up truck to the Baptist compound. There we met Ketly Pierre, Vital’s wife, and the church ladies who had prepared breakfast which included oatmeal, coconut bread, fresh pineapple and watermelon. We are in the second floor visitors’ dormitory called Bethel. Below is the preschool which now has 18 children and a capacity of 30. We shared briefly with these children.

We had an exhilarating 30 minute boat ride moving at about 50 knots across a lake and up the Escandido River, to Kukra Hill. There were dense forests on both sides of the river. We were driven in sub-compact Hyundai taxis to the new Kukra Hill Baptist Church which is just being completed. Today was the first day of classes in the school that meets in the church. Forty-five children are enrolled in three classes. The building materials have been mostly donated and the work done by volunteers. It is done in cement block covered with plaster. The thousand+ blocks were made one at a time by the volunteers. The floors are all beautiful tile. We visited with Carol and Dave Matheson from Central Baptist Church in Springfield, IL, who have been here as volunteers since October. Carol teaches English. Dave, the carpenter, has made 120 desks for children, 6 desks for teachers, and a conference table and chairs for the teachers work room in addition to many other months of construction on the building.

We visited with Pastor Joel who gave his testimony of being led to the Lord and discipled by Vital and then sent to seminary. He has one more year of seminary but is currently pastor and director of the school at Kukra. As part of his training, he studied music so the church could sing together. He played the guitar and sang with the children. We walked through the town visiting with the people. This ministry has reached out into the community in such a way that the church staff and workers are welcomed.

After the delightful and exciting boat ride back to Bluefields, we enjoyed yet another delicious meal with the church community. The main course was a rice dish which included vegetables, beef, chicken, shrimp, all finely mixed with rice. Several church members shared their testimonies all giving praise to God for the ministry of our missionaries, changed lives, and opportunity to serve. Interestingly, while the children have Sunday School, the adults go into the community, door to door, witnessing and telling the community about Jesus.

One gentleman told how he had come to know the Lord because his young daughter was attending the after school classes. He heard the missionary having devotions with the children each day when he came to pick up his daughter from the class. This has been an amazing outreach to the community.

The day was closed by singing happy birthday to the lady who had done our cooking, working hard for us on her birthday. We gathered around this lady, laying on hands and praying for her. It was a fitting close to an inspirational day.

— Vi Wiant and Sharon Farral