Friday, August 16, 2019

Celebrations

Thursday marked the final day of the eyeglass clinic.  We started our morning with coffee first, then fresh omelettes with ham, cheese, onion, and peppers.  Penny led song and devotions that highlighted using our gifts for God's purpose, as serving benefits His church and brings glory to Him (1 Peter 4:10-11 and 1 Corinthians 12).

As children of the Heavenly Father, we have witnessed the beauty and love that is found in La Paz.  Our clinic has served multiple generations of God's people looking for help.  Thursday had many people needing glasses and wanting sunglasses.  Our team worked efficiently with the resources remaining to meet both their needs and wants.  The 140 people we served gave us smiles of gratitude, handshakes of thanksgiving, and hugs of support.

We enjoyed the chicken and rice for lunch, along with fresh fruit salad, consisting on pineapple, melons and bananas.  We packed up our equipment and remaining eyeglasses into the suitcases from home.  Alysia, Pastor Junior and Rosa, along with our interpreter Diego dialogued about the week's clinic to develop a report for MOST Ministries.  The numbers were significant (817), but it was the relationships built during the week that are the true celebrations and markers for success. 

We retreated back to the hotel to find rest from the afternoon heat.  For some, another climb to the Overlook was worth the heat of the day.  At the top, we gazed over the valley, watching a plane land at the new  airport.  We enjoyed smoothies and coffees before returning to the hotel to prepare the an evening celebration.

Our host family wanted to host a closing party for us on the final day to the clinic.  The church was decorated with balloons.  A table was filled with a variety of chips, dred pepers, taquitoes, and crackers with spreads.  We began the party with prayers of celebration to God for the wonderful week He had prepared for us.  We sang a song, echoing the Alleluias in our hearts and souls for the services to Him.  The team was blessed by the mother of Ivan, one of our interpreters, who brought us small woven baskets made by Indigenous weavers who lived in the surrounding mountainside.  Pastor Junior and Rosa presented Alysia with a special gift to remind her of this first mission trip that she led for MOST Ministries.  Each of the team members received a small gift to remind us of this experience in Honduras.  Alysia presented gifts to the church from MOST Ministries.

The excitement increased as music was played and a piñata was hoisted above the church floor.  The children waited in anticipation of the breaking of the prize box.  Many of us took turns to swing the stick to break the piñata.  Being blindfolded, we relied on the directions shouted from our the sidelines, as well as other senses.  In the end, the piñata was broken and the children flooded the floor to gather the scattered candy.  Much like the grace and love given to us through Christ, we relish in the abundance of His love and mercy.  We learned new dances and enjoyed the fun together.  What a wonderful celebration!

Our evening devotion ked by Kara and Grace was also fun-filled through songs and reflections.  We long to be sheep, led by the Holy Spirit, toward a beautiful relationship with Him.  Romans 2 reminded us to be transformed and serve others.  We shared our mountaintop experiences with each other.  Alysia gave us some guidelines for preparing our re-entry from the field.  We have joined Jesus in His Mission in this place at this time.  We have watch what He has done when we have offered our time and talents to further His Kingdom.  The view from the top has been exciting and fulfilling.

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