We started out our day helping prepare for the Toledo Christian Academy’s (TCA) Pre-school graduation. There was much to be done, and with the help of our three young people Brianna, Landan and Alex, along with a energetic Lucretia, the work was done in short order. In fact, we were done in plenty of time to eat lunch and move our visit and prayer-walk for LOL Orphanage up to this afternoon.
We drove out to LOL and immediately saw much additional construction had been done since this time last year. Jervis and Melissa Fisher who run the orphanage, met us and graciously gave us an tour of the facility and filled us in on what has been going on in their lives. As usual – there was plenty! They are in the process of building a learning center and playground for education needs of some of the children that are and eventually will be in the orphanage. The $250,000 project has been fully funded by one of their supporters in the states! This is the stuff LOL is made of – God at work in a mighty way in the lives of those who fully trust in Him for their every provision. We enjoyed fellowship with the Fisher’s and with some of their intern staff – and, of course, with the precious children currently in their care. But their lives are not without pain and difficulty as they continually deal with a government that would do harm to them and their ministry; our prayers are much needed, so please make your Monday Prayer Prompt from our daily prayer list a reality as you go before the Lord. We are claiming 2 Chronicles 15 & 17: “…This is what the Lords says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.’…You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you…”
After a tremendous experience at the Orphanage, we moved on to the next thing on our agenda – the TCA Pre-school graduation. Notwithstanding a few technical difficulties, the graduation was just wonderful.
The children are so great marching in to “Pomp and Circumstance” with as much stature at 3 feet as if they were 6 feet tall. Reciting bible verses, showing off their knowledge of counting and reciting poetry, these precious 4 year olds filled the room with gladness and showered us all with blessings. By the end of the program, we all felt as if we had worshiped the Lord – true to their ministry, Emerson and Juliana Mangar both spoke of the deep desire they and the teachers have in teaching God’s Word and sharing Jesus with these tiny disciples. Child by child, generation by generation, the ministry of this school is doing kingdom work.
Of course, there must be a banquet after such a prestigious event, so we all went outside and ate Belizean chicken, rice and beans! Plus cake!
Proud parents photographed their children and we photographed them all!
Then, we decided we were sufficiently hot and sticky enough to warrant a run into Punta Gorda ice cream! Thank you , Miles! On the way home, we witnessed the very strange nighttime ritual of blue crabs running up the banks of the shore and crossing the street to get to the swampy bog on the other side! It is almost eerie, there are so many of them – staring at us while shuffling sideways!
Well, I am the last one standing – or sitting, as it were – writing our blog that will post tomorrow. Everyone else gave it up a while ago.
One last thing – a moment of confirmation for our mission trip – one of the Bible verses recited by the students was part of our mission scripture passage from Isaiah 55: 8-13. We have absolutely gone out “in joy” and believe we will “be led forth in peace” throughout the remainder of the week. As Landan said in our closing time this evening – “not bad for the first day!”
Patricia and the Team: Miles, Brianna, Landan, Alex and Lucretia
praying for VBS today
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