El Ultimo Grupo

Wow! What an amazing 2 months this has been.  It has flown by, but through it God has revealed so much and put so many special people in my life.  The last group leaves today, and what an amazing group of people they are.  Although they were few in number, they made such an impact on the people of the church and on me.  Their enthusiasm and love for the Lord were radiated in EVERYTHING they did.  I was truly touched by their joy and generosity.
Our project this week was the church.  Some painted, some sanded, and some worked on adding walls to the top story of our 3 story parking lot/kitchen/youth building.  The transformation of this building has been incredible, and this week we were really able to finish many small projects that will make the final steps of the process much easier to accomplish.  Here are some of the pictures of our work week:

Joe, Kenny, Kirsty and Tom putting up the walls

Tom: Master sander and plasterer haha....I'm thinkin' I just made that word up!

Sandy working hard sanding

Ray and Miriam painting

Me painting with my super cool homemade harness

I also did a little shopping and site seeing with the group on Friday.  We went to a place nearby that had some pretty amazing and breath taking waterfalls.  It really reminded me just how small I am and how big and strong our God is, and it reminded me of the David Crowder song How He Loves that says "if His grace is an ocean we're all sinking".  I know I wasn't at the ocean but to see the force behind that waterfall and to think that if God's grace and forgiveness are that strong and powerful (which they are) there is no way that there is even a trace of our sin left in us when we ask for His grace and forgiveness....we are sinking in His love!  

Kirsty, Me and Ray

From where I was standing I could still feel the mist of the waterfall

I also did a little bit of leopard taming while I was on this site seeing trip.  I'm pretty sure this leopard knew who was boss...

This is what the leopard was doing with the rope on the inside of the cage....

And this was me on the other end of the rope outside the cage...see what I mean! :)

This week was so much fun and a great end to my first steps down this path that God has made for my life.  I am absolutely still a work in progress, but I can totally feel the pressure and joy of the refining process that the Lord is doing in my life!  Thank you to all of you who have been a part of that process.  Thank you for your love, your prayers, your support, your advice, your comfort and your encouragement!  Next week will begin the next step in this journey...now comes the real test of faith.  I don't really know what the next steps are.  I have a few different meetings set up and am going to be talking to a couple of different missionaries and ministers in the area, but as of right now I don't know specifics of what I will be doing.  Please pray that I would be patient as God reveals and lays out the path that He is calling me to.  Pray that I would not become weary that things are not happening in my concept of human time but instead trust that God knows exactly what step I am taking next and where that step is going to lead.  Continue to pray that I would hear His voice above all others and follow no matter how scary it might be!

One night this week I was sitting in my room and saw the most amazing sunset I have ever seen.  I crawled out on the roof and took some pictures for you all to enjoy with me.  It is hard to deny the extent to which God loves us when He gives gifts like this! :)

Have a great week! I love you all!! :)