Time is Speeding by!

Our time here has been quite enjoyable but seems to be going at the speed of light!  We have figured out how to do much in a bucket - laundry, shower, carry water, go potty (at night - the outhouse is a little far at 4 am). I, Sharon, am learning the art of laundry drying in a high humidity climate with rain at least once a day.  It seems to be a bit wet for the dry season.  We did enjoy the almost rainless day today. Tonight we even saw a few stars.

Projects are plugging away.  It was delightful to look around the garden and see our whole family working together for part of the afternoon on Friday. The ring of hammers from Spencer and Lee, Tori and Kimberly working with plants, I with my shovel filling in around the fence, Tim and Kevin working on fence posts and attaching the wire, Kathy moving from task to task, and Matthew chopping up clumps of dirt with his machete and decapitating grubs.  Keilah has been a super cook working away at lunch and other meals. Kimberly makes a mean chocolate cake with coconut frosting. Kathy covering lunch and dinner. Kevin had commented earlier in the day on what a pleasure it is to do ministry with your children as their kids come along on various times of outreach. As our day time in the garden unfolded I thought it is surely so and such a huge blessing that no one fought or complained! That has to be an answer to someone's prayer because I never even thought to pray about that.

The next day, Saturday, we headed down to the Rio Verde community to paint the school.  The kids, ours, some Bruces, and some Schaubs, did such an awesome job and on a hot day working all morning.  Even Matthew made it through most all the painting time though the kids did take some breaks to rest their hands and get a snack. With all the kids, adults, and Awa working together one of the Awa men commented that the last time the painting was done they didn't get finished so early and they didn't do as much painting.  The buildings look great! This day had a hidden answer to prayer as well! We have prayed that despite the lack of communication between the Branands and the Awa, God would somehow use our time there to speak to their hearts and encourage those who already believe. I personally thought that was a stretch.  How do you reach someone when you can't understand each other? As we painted away, Kathy shared how the school could have applied to the government to have someone come out and paint the buildings but no one would want to come out - they don't like to come out to "dirty places" like the mountain communites. Our just coming out and painting said a lot when the people from Ecuador wouldn't even come and do the work! We had no idea about this until she said something, but God knew all along! Thank you to all who have supported us in prayer and finances as it was part of this support that purchased the paint and of course we now see a little of what the prayer did!

On Sunday, we had the wonderful opportunity to have church with the Awa.  Although we did not understand their language, it was neat to see them worshiping and studying God's word just as we do back home.  It was also a special time as we got to meet Nestor, his wife Cynthia and their son Esteban whom we had been praying for due to Estaban's premature birth and the complications that resulted from it.  Finally, we ended our time together with a friendly soccer game - not your typical fellowship hour but nevertheless an opportunity to strenghthen relationships with the Awa.  The rest of the day had a more relaxed tone as no work was planned.  We finished the day with a bonfire, hotdog roast, and smores, of course.

We'll try to post some pictures that go with all this tomorrow - time to hit the pillow! The roosters start in about 5 hours...