Serving

English camp for children is over This week and next our mission is to help out in tangible ways to people who for whatever reason can't help themselves. Painting, yard work, cleaning and other such jobs are on our list. I'm glad that we are able to help my hostess Susanna, who is a single mother, because the building management of her apartment has been negligent in doing some work she needs done. They sent in a worker who started the job then left it half finished and didn't clean up after himself. So we plan to swoop in, do the job, and clean up--probably all in one morning. That's the beauty of having a good-sized team, even if we are mainly inexperienced. At least we are able-bodied and willing.
Besides this work, one of the families in the church has discovered lice! So we are helping to disinfect their house and to pick the nits from their hair. Carla has arranged for the little girls and mom to get free haircuts from a lady in the church and then our team will begin picking and cleaning!
The boys have moved donated furniture to some people who had no furniture in their house.
And in the midst of the work, we eat together, we talk, we laugh, and we discuss what God's will for each of us might be. Right now it's to be the hands and feet of Jesus to the people of Alcoy, Spain. Keep praying for us as we miss our families more each day. Pray for Mark and Carla as they minister tirelessly to their community. Their influence here is obvious and far-reaching. I love listening in as they "pastor" the American team as well. There are some real God conversations going on here, especially with the young people as God has them in a situation where they are depending solely on Him and listening for His voice.
In case you thought we were on a European vacation, think again! First off, if I were going on vacation, I would take my husband and kids, whom I miss dearly! Second, we are working very hard between a few enjoyable days off. Facebook posts usually only show pictures from our tourist experiences, but these are the exception not the rule. Most of all we are walking a very fine line of living our faith in our host homes without being offensive. It's not easy and it's not comfortable. But it's our main purpose here, and we pray that as we plant seeds and water, that God will give the increase.