[07.26 - Friday] Sunrise Hike & Jungle Hospitality

Tortugero Primero, Punto Brava Primera, Punto Bravo Segundo (Ch'ol Jungle)This morning was an early start: 6:00am breakfast, which means that if you’re on breakfast prep, you need to put on the water for the oatmeal at 5:15am. The medical team hiked 45 minutes from Tortugero Preimero to Tortugero Segundo where Nathan picked them up in the Yukon to start an 8am clinic in Punto Brava Primera. The rest of the team packed up and drove the van & trailer 1.5 hours to Punto Brava Primera.The children’s program curriculum for this week has been on the topic of hope in suffering. We gathered about 30+ children in the upstairs class of a local church building and taught them a few songs, decorated wooden butterflies, and gave our candy to those who won the pushup contest. We also told the story of Joseph and how he chose to trust God to fulfill the dream in His timing. We learned that the things that others mean for evil in our lives, God means for good.The brothers and sisters with the church there made a delicious chicken and vegetable soup. We also had this drink made from smashed corn and water called Pozol. The people here are very hospitable.We had a few filter installs and repairs today. It is neat to meet new people, practice your Spanish, and share the gospel with them. It is also neat to be able to ask people: “So is there anything specific for which we can pray for you?” We also hand out Scripture CD’s and gospel material.In the late evening we drove to Punta Brava Segunda and set up for the night at Elias’s house.It has been neat to ask people what the Lord is teaching them or how He has been working in their lives. For me, God has been teaching me about prayer, and reminding me of the joy and necessity of praying in faith for those whom I serve. Sometimes I feel like I can’t do much, then I realize that prayer keeps my focus on God and His working—His Spirit accomplishing His will. I have had the privilege to witness spiritual growth as well in the individuals on the team. I see people taking initiative, reaching out to others, and responding well to difficult situations.Praise the Lord! A young man, Felipe, and his sister, Doris, prayed in faith to receive Christ as their Savior and Lord. Alex and Lauren installed a filter at their house and that led into a conversation about how to know God personally. They have been attending church meetings but had not yet understood the clear response to the gospel. We pray that God would bless them and make them to know Him more and more.- Tim