Sunday in San Marcos

It as a late night tonight so I will just post an abbreviated update. Our host church held a youth service tonight (so we had time to do our service work during the day) and so we did not head to homestays until after 10.  It was very good service, with lots of active singing, a message from Pastor Neri, and presentations from both our mime team and the host church's mime team.

In the morning the mime and childrens teams went to the San Pedro city square to perform.  It started out a small crowd but grew as people started coming out to spend some time in the sunshine.  Childrens had about 40 children for their program, but by the time the mime performed there were several hundred people there.  It got cloudy (which was a nice break from the hot sun) but then started to sprinkle.  There were even a few thunder claps.  But everyone prayed we would get through the presentation before it rained and the clouds cleared away from the center of town for us. Both teams also had an additional program in the afternoon. Drorts had a couple of long drives today but the response of the audiences were worth the time in the van. Service spent the day starting to paint and assemble a swing set for a nearby school, which they will finish up tomorrow (Monday).  Medical went to a neighboring town for the day.  Their time there included a large (and loud!) birthday party.  On the upside they all got cake.  Before dinner, everyone but mime finished early enough to catch most of the USA's almost exciting tie in the World Cup (mime team had a long drive to and from their afternoon performances).  There was a lot of cheering during the USA goals, but the ending left us all mute.

Tomorrow is the last full day of service for OCA 2014. All of the teams were at full strength today, so the students are looking to end strong. Our prayer requests at this point are more directed to the churches we have served along side and the seeds that have been planted in the people our various teams have had the honor of presenting the Gospel to. Pray that those who heard the message will continue to seek out a relationship with Christ, and that the churches will be able to build on the connections initiated through our service and disciple and teach those new believers.

Coming into the home stretch for the trip, our Word for today comes from Pastor Neri's teaching tonight. The teams ave done some great work, but they cannot relax and let their guard down.  Ephesians 6:10-11 says: "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the whole armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." As the team transitions back to "real life" we will have some teaching and time for reflection on how to sustain what has been accomplished in each of us as individuals and in the team as a part of Wooddale Student Ministries during this trip.

To close, I thought you might like to enjoy a San Marcos morning with the team:

    To step out of time-
    Air cool and still with anticipation,
    The city poised to greet the new day.
    Then heralded by rooster's crow,
    Dog's bark and bus' growl
    The sun crowns the surrounding hills.
    With measured pace the light
    Makes its way into the city,
    Once again obliging the night
    To take its leave.
    A new day begins.