The beginning of Jan. we had 10 girls here from the orphanage (ages 11-21) for a camp, which was really fun but busy! We planned an American type camp with activities, Bible lessons and discussions, skits (they were so creative and LOVED dressing up in all sorts of things that were brought from the states), and plenty of free-time. It was WONDERFUL Spanish immersion!! I will get this immersion when I go to the orphanage to help, which I will begin in 2 days. It was a great time of connection with these girls, and some wanted prayer and opened up more than others of course. We just pray that they learned more of who they are in God's eyes and of the love God has for all of us.
Another very special thing about having the girls here, was that it really blessed the "parents" of the orphanage and their helpers as they got to have a much needed vacation. The 4 younger children spent the week with otheres.
We are still in desperate need of rain. Fortunately our cattle (approx. 50) and sheep (just over 100)can go and drink from the arroyo (creek) that we know know is from an underground spring, or souce. We know this b/c one end of it on our property is dry, and the otherend as well yet we still have about the same amount of water which we are using to keep our garden alive. THANK GOD!!!
(Above pics are mealtime, muchachas from the camp swimming in the arroyo and skit time!!!)
We have had to buy rations and straw for the cattle as there is nothing left to graze on due to the drought. Soooo many people have lost all of the crops and cattle/sheep....please pray for them. For many, its all they had. Last week, we took ALOT of a couple types of our squash from our garden to church last week and left it for those in need.
We have been very busy here after the new year and aside from working the garden, and helping with the animals, we continue to prepare for 2 weeks of 60+ youth from Chile and Uruguay who will be having their camp here on the farm. Its Christian group called Youth With A Mission (YWAM), which I am sure many of you have heard of. As a part of their camp, they will also be doing some outreach here to the 2 nearby cities. We had to have a bathroom/shower area built, which is completed except for the final dividers/curtains. We had workers who showed consistently and did what looks to be a good job. Getting work completed has been a struggle here at times, so we feel really blessed to have that done. I have used my "handyman" skills here quite a bit....refinishing a floor, staining, repairing things.....I'm so thankful I know how to do such a variety of things, and that I like doing them.
My Spanish is coming along, but will improve rapidly from the time I will be spending at the orphanage.
Another really special thing that happened here, was the Aurora, who had been serving here for a year, was baptized in the arroyo just a few days before she headed back to the U.S. It was an awesome evening and we had a fiesta afterwards!
Many of you live where there is snow at this time of year, so please do some turns in the snow for me, and I will sweat some for you in our 90-100 degree weather.
Muchas Benediciones (many blessings....)
Holly
