CHANGING A PART OF THE WORLD AND BEING CHANGED OURSELVES

What a day it was today.  We began the day by walking to the chapel we are painting and then finishing a 2nd coat on the outside and completing the first coat on the inside.  One more morning of painting and we should have that chapel looking so beautiful for the people in that neighborhood who we have come to love so much.  We have gotten to know them even by name as they work and play beside us all day.  The late afternoon was a time to rest during an afternoon rainfall and then we decided to do our group sharing in the early evening hours since the last two nights have been a complete wash with heavy rains.  It is amazing how much your life can change in such a short amount of time.  We spent time this afternoon sharing what we have learned, how we have been changed, how we have experienced Christ on this trip and what has been the most difficult experience.  I don't think there was a dry eye at the table.  So much to take in and absorb and so much to be thankful for.  Each of the girls has been uniquely touched by this experience and we have all become so much closer to each other as a result of our time together.  It will be difficult to explain all that has happened to us and all that we have observed and felt along this journey.  God always has a way of letting us know that he is with us - after about an hour sharing we went out to get ice cream and we were treated to a beautiful double rainbow in the sky - it was breath-taking and definitely a sign of God shining his love on all of us.  The talk of leaving here on Saturday is something the girls are trying to avoid.  I know they will be so happy to see all of you but I think a part of their hearts will be left here in Elias Pina with the people and I think a little of the people here will be in the hearts of our girls.