"I don't know how you do it!"

This was a quote my me this morning while the missionary wife, Danielle, and I were making breakfast for about 30 people. And that's a normal count minus the 13 of us Americans! Let me tell you a little bit about her. She is an incredible godly woman. As I was talking with her this morning, my mind immedietely went to Proverbs 31. She runs her home with amazing wisdom, love, energy, patience and with a quiet strong spirit. In addition to her four kids, she has (I think) about 8 natives living in the house as well. These are kids my age and younger who for one reason or another don't have homes or possibly families. Some are not yet believers but they are being exposed to God's love and Truth of Scripture through Sunday morning church, Bible studies in this home and the many other believers around this home. Each of the kids and teens have responsibilities that they must complete each day. The girls keep the home and the boys work outside keeping the property and doing building projects for the mission. 

Our team worked outside a newly built home (will later house team members of SOS Ministries). We worked clearing the brush, weeds, and branches the covered the entire yard. That so far has been the hardest part of the trip (I think all would agree). The sun is torturous during the day and the work is rough. These men here really work hard. When it's work time they are the hardest workers I've ever seen, but in the evenings, when it's relaxing time, they are good at that too! 

This evening the 13 of us broke up into 3 groups, each with a native translator and covered our village and the surrounding villages, going to homes and inviting their children to the VBS afternoon our team will be hosting Saturday afternoon. This has been a favorite part of the trip for all of us. It was so neat to take about 3 hours and just walk through the road (trail) that led to each house. What we saw as we stopped to talk with the families was incredible. I think most of us are still processing though this as well. They live in one room huts but at every house we went to, the women and children were always outside. They were usually sitting in the dirt of their yard and busy with drying some type of food they grew or making dinner over the fire, weaving, or drying leaves for their roof. At most homes, the children were always involved with helping in some way. The toddlers would be sitting in the dirt beside their moms usually completely naked. We couldn't believe we were seeing the things that we hear about or read about from others. 

I think we are all pretty exhausted and will be going to bed early tonight. 

We are so thankful for how God has really unified our team and given us his grace having truly servant hearts shown through each person's actions. We're also amazed by the team here and their dedication to this ministry, the way the Lord uses each one and their amazing openness and kindness to us. 

Thanks for praying: that we would continue with attitudes focused on glorifying our Lord and Creator and continue to encourage one another and be a blessing to the team here - that they would be encouraged and uplifted by our presence here.

Love to all from the team!