We had a great day today with the group. We went down to Parque Naucalli, where we had 2 opportunities to present the ministry. In total, I would say there were about 500 people there watching and listening. It was awesome the way that the crowd came to see what was going on, and we had the opportunity to share with them. The youth group from the church did a great job of translating and getting the crowd into it, and I could notice how they are really bonding with the group.
Later in the evening, we invited a man who is a 7th degree black belt in Tae Kwan Do over to the house to talk about the possibility of starting an Above and Beyond ministry team at the church with the young people. He and his daughter also shared in the ministry today at the park. It was cool seeing them with the group from the USA.
It’s late. I’m tired. I’m going to bed. I’ll put up some more pictures tomorrow.
The group arrived, and we got home last night around 1:30 am. Then today, it was a long day.
I went to get the mats from Ganesha, the gymnastics school who is loaning them to us. We arrived at the church to set up, then we attended one of the services. After the service, the group invited all the young people of the church to stay and watch. There were about 50 of them. Then we had a good old Mexican “taquiza” with all sorts of tacos. After that, Ken and I went to Home Depot and bought more boards for the team. We also went to pick up some more mats. Then we ate at Italianis. Not a bad first day. I’m sunburnt. Nathan’s sunburnt. Janell is sunburnt. And we’re all tired.
The group is late (that’s usual). They are now going to arrive at 11 pm. Makes for a long night.
Tonight, the group from Boca Raton arrives for their mission trip. We have been working hard and are ready to receive them. The leadership team from the church has done a great job to put together the schedule, and I think it’s going to be a great week.
I went today to buy some supplies for tomorrow’s presentation at the church. I hope I got the right stuff so that tomorrow will go smoothly. I have to go early to the gymnastics school to pick up the mats before church. Please pray for this coming week. It’s going to be a lot of work, but hopefully a great time, too.
We went to a gymnastics and karate school last night to look for the elusive gymnastics mats, hoping to have a chance to rent them from this school.
I had no idea why the owner wanted to meet with us, but it turns out that he has another business called Expo Sport. They do a big expo every year with all sorts of sports activities, etc. He actually asked me if the group might be interested in coming to that in November this year. I think he wanted to network with people involved in sports activities, etc. Because of this, he told me that he wouldn’t charge us for the use of the mats. I’m actually really excited to have Ken, the pastor of Above and Beyond, talk to him. This has potential written all over it.
My List of things to do:
Finish preparing for tomorrow’s class (1st class of the bimester)Meet with owner of gymnastics school to see if we can rent mats for the group.Talk to the bus driver to finalize the schedule.- Finish working on stuff for my part in the leadership workshops Note: I’ll have to work on that during this week
Buy water for the groupFinish schedule for the groupClean house (we’re having some of the group stay at our house)- Finish grading papers from Cuba Note: Will do it when the group leaves
Find a “good” place to buy karate suppliesWork out new schedule with class because there’s a problem with one of the youth majors and our class schedule- Put together some thoughts on PIB’s youth ministry Note: Will work on that throughout the week
Go to meeting about schedule for next week- And the list goes on…
No wonder I’m feeling a little stressed lately. I didn’t even put on there the personal stuff I needed to do. That was pretty much all work related. Wow. I should get busy.
