June 11th
A good missionary friend once commented to me that “A missionary’s life is a life of saying goodbye.” Anyone who has been a missionary, whether short or long term, understands. Leaving home, making a new culture “home,” and then leaving “home” again… there’s just no easy way about it. Last week I cleaned out my house, packed everything I am going to take home (PA), sold and gave away the rest. With opportunities to give small gifts to many of my neighbors and personally say goodbye to them, the Lord showed me with an abundance of grace and an overflow of friendship from each of them. My next door neighbors, Dario and Nancy, were extremely kind and helpful as I was making my final preparations, even inviting me over for a special “goodbye party” with other neighbors.
Dario, Nancy and Carla
Speaking of blessings, I have been staying at the home of Gilberto and Norma Naredo this past week. They have been a true model of Christian hospitality and kindness. Traveling to and from the church and the Naredo’s home, while using any spare moments to visit and say goodbye has been exhausting, but rewarding.
Get Ready! The Team is coming…
We have been working VERY hard at Cristo Victorioso these past weeks and will continue to do so up until the arrival of the Elverson team. Everyone is looking forward to the team’s arrival. Families in the church have volunteered to prepare lunch for the team during the workdays, and the ladies from the homes that the group will work at are thrilled that walls are going to be built, rooms painted and water made more accessible. Cristo Victorioso and all its members are buzzing with pre-team preparations and excitement. We’re really looking forward to seeing the team down here!
The majority of the beam structures are formed and ready for the next step... the roof structure
Prayer:
- I almost didn’t write this update because I was too tired… then I thought, Hmm, I didn’t write the update yesterday… or the day before… because I was too tired. I’m running on fumes. With a week of hard work with the brothers from C.V. and then the arrival of the Elverson group, I would appreciate your prayers.
- Continued grace for saying goodbye to those who are so special to me here in Puebla.
- Wisdom in preparations for the team: a 100 square meter roof project, a cistern, 2 walls and a paint project.
Juvencio working on one of the beams
Blessings in Christ,
Jon