Day 7 - Friday

Psalm 13:5  But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.

Today was filled with bittersweet memories.  When we went to the church this morning, my ladies and I shared the challenges and rewards of this week.  I took each lady’s photo with her projects that she accomplished and then another with me of course.  We enjoyed each other’s company as they finished up the flowers they would give to the sewing ladies for their projects.  I was so proud of them that they were willing to give their work away even at this early stage.  They had a little circle factory going with 2 ladies picking out buttons and preparing the rosettes and the others sewing them together.  

Then at 10am we came together for a fashion show from Tippitapa barrio.  This barrio has become our most successful co-op program.  They began 7 years ago when PAN Missions did the program there.  They now have 2 successful stores and are proud to say they have made enough to qualify to pay taxes as a business!   The fashion show was lovely as always and it gave our ladies new ideas and they could see how they can expand what they do.  

Afterwards, I gave each of my ladies a small gift to say thank you and a couple of crochet hooks each as well.  More pictures followed and some last minute questions and discussion about sharing ideas, learning sewing from the other ladies and teaching them crochet, etc.   

All too soon it was time for lunch and we were swept away back to Jardin Shalom with promises of returning by 1pm.  And so we did, ready for the closing ceremony.  So I helped my ladies pack up the hockey bag of yarn, patterns, etc and get it back into the pastor’s office.  They each have enough yarn to keep them going for a bit and we discussed meeting once monthly to work together as well.  

The closing ceremony was lovely with both the pastor and Annette saying a few words, praying for the success of the program and wishing us blessings on next week’s work under Dolores and Sofia (the pastor’s wife) and safe travels.  Then we presented to our people their bibles.  Dolores and Sharon presented to the sewers, I presented to the crocheters and Johanella presented to the weavers.  With a final blessing, we were closing when the mighty downpour of rain started outside.  So, as the rain came down, we were blessed with an extra 15 minutes to chat, take pictures, exchange email addresses and more hugs.  When the rain stopped, we started to leave and found a great puddle right outside the door.  So Allan tried to get the van as close as possible and of course, I just walked through the water and got in the van.  My back was getting sore so I didn’t want to wait.  Then we finally loaded everyone up and had to maneuver around the other vehicles.  A few minutes later we were off to Ticuantepe.

We had pre-loaded the boxes of clothing and food for this barrio so that we could go directly there after we closed at Tabernaculo Oasis des Esperanza.  So this last barrio, Enramadas, to visit was a bit of a trick to get into.  We went up the hill and turned around and parked on the side of the road.  But everything had to go down this little trail past another church to get there and of course everything was wet and slippery from the rain.  Luckily, several men  from the church were watching for us and soon we had many hands to make light of the work.  I stayed in the van getting the parcels of food out to the others.  Some were under the seats as well and then the boxes of clothing from the back.  They made quick work of the whole lot.

We had a short opening and got right to work distributing the food bags as there were 40 families here.  When we got to the clothing the line slowed down quite a bit and suddenly we heard Jonathan our translator singing into the microphone and entertaining the children and adults alike.  He even managed to get a couple of the children up to sing a song as well.  Then there was much hand clapping and he was very engaging.   As he drew his audience in, we were amazed at his hidden talent come alive.  He sure worked the room!  And again, as we closed, many grateful mothers, sons and daughters hugged and kissed us with mucho gracias.  

As we arrived back at Jardin Shalom, we were very tired but our hearts were filled with the blessings we received.  We actually received another treat tonight.  There were 12 settings for the table and Jonathan, Allan, Ernan and Jessie joined us for dinner.  This dinner was a special thank you from Jonathan.  He arranged it all with Carlos, Allan and Pastor Ernan.  It was a lovely meal of beef and rice and vegetables.  And the camaraderie was at a high.  

So as I finish off for tonight, I will not write again until Sunday.  We are off in the morning to relax at a fellow Canadian’s home while he is in Canada.  It will be a bit of a change and then we will come back and get ready for another special treat, we are invited to a wedding.  So, buenos nochas for now.  

Love Susy.