Half-day Saturday

Linda and I worked on catching up all the donations from March and the first 10 days of April. We now have the online dontaion setup on the NewSong Website. We put a lot into PowerChurch and are beginning to learn how the reports look from the online payments.

After this Tim and I went with Juan Diego to meet up with his cousins at the beach. We spent a little over an hour skim boarding and enjoyed sunset. Then we went to his aunt and uncles beach house and hung at the pool.

We came back to his aunt/uncles Leon house and hungout for the rest of the night and got a great free dinner.

Friday Night Youth Improving

We have now held our 8th Friday Night youth event...the kids are still coming in numbers over 100 and we think they are finally starting to listen. The distractions are much less and more kids are feeling comfortable inside the walls of the church instead of just listening from outside standing on on a bike.

More kids are being involved in our ice-breaker games and fun times, now that they have warmed up to us and each other. I am learning many more names/faces and the attendance sheets for Friday nights are growing every week.

This week during the fun time Scarleth led some games they had done out in Tonala back in December. Partners trying to push the other off balance without moving feet and try and poke the other without getting poked with hands together. They also played a game with balloons tied to everyones ankles and you must try and stomp everyone else's balloon without yours being popped. Kervin and 2 of his friends did a 1 song rap concert, that they have added verses to since the rap contest 5 weeks ago.

The worship is getting really meaningful to more of the kids. They are singing along and some have flags or dances to go with the praise band. Daniel is doing a great job and Linda is a huge help in having the kids interact.

Tommy spoke on how to be a real man, and what kind of man/husband thwe girls need. The kids are really enjoying Fridays and we hope they continue to improve, as we look for more fun time ideas and more meaningful videos etc for our first hour.

Candelaria WedThursday

Tommy had his leadership meetings with 12 pastors, Oscar, and Tim

Leo ran baseball practice, and I got some things ready for Friday night youth.

Scarleth and Linda got to talk with some small business people: garden, sewing ladies, and goat owners.

Scarleth is feeling fine..they haven't told her yet what they think it was but she says she is better and appreciates all the prayers!

Tuesday off in Managua

We also had Tuesday off to catchup from our first day without a group here since March 1. We have loved having this many groups but a couple days from now til our next group will be a great time to catch up on other things. I have been doing more with my attendance sheets, baseball roster, and friday night planning. I have also been trying to get all the funds and contacts taken care of.

Juan Diego finished college in Managua this past December, but had not moved all his stuff home to Leon. He had to turn his key in to the landlord today and get out whatever he didn't want to be thrown away. So Tim and I rode with him in Tommy's truck to go pack up his apartment and bring everything back to his parents house.

Monday off in Leon

Monday was a day off to just catchup on rest and administrative things in Leon, after sending Jennifer to the airport via taxi at 8:30 in the morning the rest of the day was very calm and refreshing.

I also got to go and visit with Viky and her granddaughters again. We hungout and talked for a couple hours mid afternoon. Eveling got me to help her with her English..mostly counting 1-10. Alhejandra and I drew some pictures and rode around on my bike.

Sunday Call to Order

We had our own small worship time and prayer at Pastor Tommys house this morning...it was a great little 6 person service. Tim played guitar and led us in abotu 3 praise/worship songs...Pastor Tommy shared some scripture...Scarleth, Leo, Jennifer, Linda, and myself sang along and listened. We all prayed for the day and the issues of the week past.

In the village we had a business meeting rather than a church service. Tommy has picked up the service for Sunday nights, but before he did this he had made it clear we need people there at 6 pm sharp. People always come in 45 minutes to an hour late, so by the time we finish a 90 minute or so service, break down, and drive 50 minutes home it is quite late.

Tonight we only had a handful of people there are 6, and Tommy felt it was time to address the issue of being on time. Daniel leads a great worhip time for our first 30 minutes. He is assited by a female voice, and Tommy on drums. Scarleth and I run the powerpoint of lyrics. Most people show up after this is over and listen to the service as a chore instead of really letting the message speak to them.

Tommy shared with them the importance of being there for prayer, worship, and the word...along with the respect and encouragment it shows our team when they come to our services on time. We are hoping by next week, this issue will no longer be a problem.