[08.02 - Friday] God our Champion

Today was our last day at the Casa Hogar Canaan orphanage. It was bittersweet; on the one hand we got to spend the whole day working with or for the kids, on the other hand it was also the day we would say good-bye until next time.We started the day by sealing and painting the outside of their new schoolhouse. There's still much work to be done on it but we were pleased with the progress that was made and hopes it helps them on their journey to opening school in just a couple of weeks. A few more team members also started work on a couple drainage ditches, important in a place where it rains almost every day!As we were starting our work, several of us commented on the ominous rain clouds coming in. We were concerned about rain since we were painting the outside of the schoolhouse and wanted to be able to get as much done as possible and have adequate drying time. God heard our prayers and in His omnipotence He put an umbrella over the schoolhouse... it rained everywhere else but not there! He is amazing!After the boys got home from school for the afternoon we did a couple hours of stories, crafts, and games with them. Many are Christian so we used the opportunity to teach them and hopefully help deepen their foundation in Christ. We told the Princess & the Dragon story about the promise of relationship and they loved the fire that Daisy was able to shoot from the dragon's mouth! One burnt finger and a really cool story later, we started crafts and games. Note to future teams: watch out for the really cute kid who changes everything in the telephone game to "hasta manana" regardless of what word/phrase is actually going around. Cracked us up! :-)These kids are loving, gentle, and growing in the grace of the Lord here. They all have very sad backgrounds - abuse, watching parents die, drugs - but they're all finding healing and joy here at the orphanage. I was reminded of the song "God of Heaven" as we closed out this day:God of Heaven, God of all the earth and sky.Great Creator, Master of all nature.Who gives birth to snow from heaven,Holds the waves at ocean's edge,Gives the orders to the morning,Shows each dawn its place to shine?God of Heaven, God of all the earth and sky.God of Ages, God who wrote the Book of Time.Sovereign Ruler, Alpha and Omega.Saints before, He's guided safely.History's pages signed by Him.Author of our days and hours;Things to come are held secure.God of Ages, Alpha and Omega.God of Power!  God who breaks the darkness.Righteous Warrior, Champion of His children,Goes before us into battle;Good and evil bow to Him,Those in bondage freed forever,Victories won at His command!God who heals us, God who gives us peace and hope.God who listens, Carries all our fragileDreams and heartaches, wins and failures;Binds the broken; hides the weak.New beginnings freely offered;Who can make us whole again?God who heals us, God of Power,God of Ages, God of Heaven,God of all the earth and sky.https://itun.es/i6xm2cj Words and Music by Heather SorensonGod truly is our Champion as we close out our trip. We find our strength in Him to continue each day, and though this Mexico experience ends, we begin again at home with the opportunities laid out for us there. May He find us ever faithful in His grace!- Amy