Farm Week

The first two weeks of October we had the lovely opportunity to stay in San Jose and work on the Stallings farm with a group from Arkansas.  It was simply beautiful.  The Stallings host groups of kids on the farm for Bible clubs, some of the groups coming from government homes.  On one of my favorite days, the lesson was about how Jesus is our shepherd, and the kids got to pet baby lambs.  Since it was rainy that day, the sheep were very muddy and I got to hold one while the kids pet him.  Lambs in photos are very tranquil and clean, but not in real life- you can see the mud o my arms.

We also got the chance to attend kids groups at the church in San Jose, which I always thoroughly enjoy.  Sunday afternoon, we were invited to have lunch at Nazarena's house for her birthday.  There I met a new friend, Valentina.  From the birthday party, Valentina came with the girls to church, and it was her first time coming to church!  On Tuesday, the group hosted an event for young girls at Claren's house.  Valentina came, as well as a few girls from a government home, and some girls from the outskirts of San Jose, near the farm.  Some of these girls were believers and others are not.  One of the women from the states shared a powerful testimony of abuse in her childhood and what she learned about the love of Christ and forgiveness. 

Further on in the week, we got to do some painting and stenciling on the farm and we got to spend more time with our San Jose friends and get to know them better.  As a bonus, we went to a Upward game, which is an indoor soccer team comprised of guys fro the youth group.  I can safely say that it was the most exciting soccer game of my life.  Our team had three players thrown out, (they say the refs were pulling for the opposing team).  At one point we had two players on the field, versus four, and each of the two guys scored!  Needless to say, we got really loud.  Claren was reminded of the story of Gideon. 

Judges 7:2 The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength has saved me.’

Querida San Jose, estoy enamorada de ti.