Side Benefits

Another week of RVICSing has come to a conclusion. How time flies. Even though this was the first week of a new project it was at the same location and doing the same work as last month. I am so grateful that I get to work in the same classroom. This picture of Mathew was taken on the 100th day of school. Each student was to wear something that had 100 items attached to it. I am sure it took some creativity on the part of the mothers to come up with ideas. Some had stickers, safety pins. Bible cards, stamping stamps, etc. It didn't do much for the attention to school work but it is always celebrated in some way at this school. The comment I heard often, "only 70 days of school left." I have a new appreciation for teachers now even though I thought I appreciated them before. For this teacher, and any teacher, to keep each one performing at his/her optimum capacity is a challenge. This class has such a wide range of abilities. I often find myself leaving my grading papers desk, to assist a student or to try to keep some student from distracting other students. My teacher appreciates my seeing where help is needed and that I am willing to give it instead of just doing the basic tasks she gives me to do. I did have to feel her out the first weeks to see if she would be helped or hindered by my helping students directly or if she would appreciate it but she does see it as helpful because she is often overwhelmed with the behavior of some of the students.

The Florida Bible Church that the school is a part of held their Mission Conference this week. Services were held on Wed., Thur., Friday nights and then a church picnic on Saturday. Then Sat. night and at both services on Sunday morning missionaries again spoke. We attended all but one of the meetings and were richly blessed. It was good to be involved in a conference outside of our own church to see just how they do things. One night we were divided into 4 groups because there were 4 missionaries. Each group got to spend 25 minutes with each missionary. The time was spent most of the time in Q & A so we learned a lot about the personal life and particulars of the work that don't come out in a full assembly. The other nights one missionary was the primary speaker. Friday night after the service we were invited to an ice cream social, Haagen Daz at that. The picnic on Saturday reminded me of Carmel SS picnic except that it started before noon with a barbecue and then games. No formal program but a time to interact with the church people and the missionaries. It was so good to talk to the people and learn about their background. I talked to a young mother who was raised as a Hindu. She was from Trinidad and her husband from Porto Rico. She just was frustrated with the Hindu religion as it was so empty and meaningless. So what could that man-made idol do for her? When her family moved to the US she became restless in her heart and soul . A young man in her school class frequently read his Bible where she could see it. She finally engaged him in conversation and after some time she accepted Christ. She and her husband and 3 daughters are now Christians and she is such a vibrant women, her faith shines from her face continually. We consider being a part of these extra activities a side-benefit of doing RVICS. Then today Wilmer/Dad was asked to give his testimony in Sunday School of how to be a Christian in the political realm. We had discussed "politics" in a broad way for several weeks so the teacher thought it would be good to hear from a real politician. Dad did a good job and there were some really good questions. Time was too short for such an all-encompassing topic.

Missionaries at the conference were:J & R - The Evangelical Alliance Mission. D & J. who began the Crossway International Mission. They live in the states now but he is the person responsible for an orphanage of 499 children. They need food and clean water so he is also involved in getting money for wells which will pump clean water. The children's meals now consist of sorghum for breakfast, probably a cup of hot tea at noon and then again a few grams of sorghum for supper. Not enough, obviously. He had worked overseas for years and then he came across this need of orphans just recently. So D. began a new project and program and now has all these children aged 5 to 16 in his care. His passion is so contagious and what makes him so remarkable beside the tremendous work he does is that he is totally blind. We often heard the challenge, "D. is doing all this work blind, what about you?"

C and his wife are with the program called A.L.A.R.M. C. is the founder of that program which spelled out is African Leadership and Reconciliation Ministries. He trains church leaders and community leaders in areas of conflict resolution, forgiveness and breaking down walls of bias and hatred which have existed for generations.

D. & J. are with New Tribes Mission which specializes in planting tribal churches. They start with a tribe which has no written language and try to work through with the tribe until they have the Bible translated into that language.

What a bonus to be a part of the Conference and learn about the various mission organizations.

Can you figure out who this smoother is? I know the uniform and the background may give it away but I am sure the head of dark hair will not help identify the "big" guy.

We are doing very well. I shared with one of you that this experience has been refreshing and stimulating to us physically, emotionally and spiritually. God is so good to give us this opportunity and give us the strength, desire and ability to do it.

Love you all,

Dad and Mom