Off to Vinga this morning with Lynsey, Spencer and family - more Christmas rehearsals and everyone was in fine voice. Today we are distributing the shoe boxes at the end of the programme. Lynsey and Spencer have treated everyone to hot dogs and home made chocolate chip cookies. After prayers it was all excitement as the gifts were given out Thanks to Lynsey for the organised way in which it was done. Here is a picture of the team.
With all the children happily on their way home, we visited another poor family with boxes and then the Vinga widows and widower with their food parcels and Christmas gifts.
Cati, who has no pension was sick in bed with flu. She lives in a run down mud brick house and had no heating. In her bed was a luke warm brick wrapped in a rag which had obviously been heated up by a neighbour. I quickly opened her Christmas box and put her knitted slippers on. Sister Roza who lives next door in another delapitated house was walking around. My heart bleeds for her because she has gangarine in both her legs. It was so sad to see them both with such problems. I prayed with them both before leaving. Pastor Jackie raided her wood pile to ensure they both had wood until a stock could be purchased when more funds arrive. Elizabeta was thrilled to see us and she had wood supplied by family. V said she had no wood but she does have a daughter living with her that works and she had refused some free building repairs earlier in the year. This work is hard but because funds are so low for this project every case is being looked at on its merits. Widow Carl is now living with a poor family in a tiny room sectioned off a big outdoor farm building but they did have a fire in the corner of the room. Conditions were very bad. The family were very poor and we gave shoe boxes for the children which changed their little world this Christmas.
I spent the rest of the afternoon at the Jesus Generation Club in San Nicolau Mic. One of the topics today for the older children is "Problem Solving". It is encouraging to see the children becoming actively involved in discussions, Other topics covered - Francis of Assisi, the country of Italy, Jesus' birth being the "Light" coming into the world and testimonies from me and 2 additional helpers. This ministry is exciting and the majority of these children are there for 4 hours. The fact that no-one is in a hurry to leave says it all. Marius and Elena are incredible team leaders and everything is so organised and prepared in advance. I thank the Lord for this ministry - please pray for more space for them.
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