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| The victorious team of Pallaguagre Kevin has the crimson Aeropostale t-shirt on. |
Week 26 was a good, but challenging week at Rancho Oasis.
Daily ministry continues and excitement is building
for the three groups coming in July and August.
Daily ministry continues and excitement is building
for the three groups coming in July and August.
The village of El Aguacatal welcome sign / Travelers Tobi & Nomi (Tabi stayed home ill)
A unique ministry opportunity presented itself with Kevin, one
of the young men involved with the youth Bible study. In Kevin’s neighborhood,
Pallaguagre, they have an adult (mostly) soccer team. They scheduled a game
in El Aguacatal, a village about an hour away, and asked if I would be willing to take the
team if they committed to pay for gas. So, I decided to go bless Kevin, get to know his neighbors and let some
of my children tag along for a Daddy-day adventure.
It ended up being a great time
with my kids, I got to meet some of the dads of boys on the Ranch’s soccer
team (Filipenses F.C.), invite some new boys to join our team and hang out with
them. It was relaxing and very fruitful!
PRAISE the Lord for the opportunity to know my neighbors and pray
that some spiritual fruit will grow out of it!
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| The field of El Aguacatal |
One of the great things about our garden project is the opportunity that
it creates to get to know the kids in the community. Both Crisna’s and
Yalbana’s garden have been planted and are growing well.
Gerson with recent find - one of three rabbits & carrying posts
So, this week I got to spend two mornings with Gerson.
He isn’t much of
a talker, but the gardening seems to fit his gentle,
quiet temperament more
than the soccer team.
PRAY for
Gerson: his parents are married, but Dad is gone a lot as a security guard in
Tegus, plus his older brother isn’t the greatest influence. Gerson has a lot of
potential, but the teenage temptations/temperaments are clearly starting to pull on his
young heart.
Building frame for palm frond roof / planting seeds
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| El Ayudante - Tobi helps collect wood shavings for the animal's stalls |
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| Filipenses F.C. in orange (2) vs. Atletico Santa Ana in black (4) |
Just like sports, the ministry with the soccer boys has victories and losses (failures). Oscar and I are constantly in prayer in how to keep Jesus the center point of the team and our practices/games. We both love soccer, but are more interested in forming disciples of Christ.
Many of you remember “Pepe” from last year as the boy who
got his leg accidentally sliced with a machete during our end of the season
“Copa de Lodo” game. (By the way he has healed – in fact, he scored a goal this
last weekend!) Well, Kelvin Gustavo, as it reads on his birth certificate, is
listening. Pepe is a difficult young man. He was kicked out of his first
elementary school and his neighbor’s told me that he wasn’t worth my time the
day I brought him home from the hospital. How do I know Pepe is listening?
Well, normally during our studies through the book of Proverbs Pepe is being
Pepe – talking, watching girls, throwing grass, etc. However, this last
practice Pepe was the first to answer several of the review questions regarding
the previous week’s Bible study. Yes, Pepe is listening! PRAY for his salvation.
Elam is another challenging boy on the team. He is the
middle of three brothers in a single-parent family. He is undisciplined, lazy,
and a complete jokester. There is a lot to love about Elam – he
has a way of growing on you no matter how annoying he can be! Well, he got into
a fight during our "friendly" game on Saturday and was red-carded (kicked out).
Well, via God’s grace I didn’t get mad at him, but talked to him. I simply
asked if it was worth it? He didn’t respond, so I continued by pointing out
where he was standing at that moment: not on the field and not playing. I told
him the best way to fight back is to score a goal, not raise your fist. It
seemed to sink in. We’ll find out next time. PRAY for his salvation.
Fernando Joel, known by “Chino” on the team, is
struggling. He is mouthy, cocking and thinks way too much of himself. Reality
is, he is extremely insecure and his attitude comes off pretty ugly. He can be
hilarious (class clown) and really likeable, but his attitude is quickly going sour. After showing
up an hour late to the game, he basically was demanding to be put into the game because he
couldn’t stay for the second half (we begun the game late, but the starters were
already playing on the field). Well half-time came and Chino’s attitude pushed
me over the edge. In front of all the young boys, he mocked me. This is a big
no–no (a hot button for me). So, I kicked him off the team for a two week
suspension. To be honest, I think I lost my cool. Yes, it was a teachable
moment for Chino, but perhaps it lost its impact when I lost my temper. PRAY for Chino that he matures in Jesus. PRAY that I guard my hot buttons more carefully!
Well, if I was a little unsure of my error with Chino, I
knew that I blew it with Kevin Mauricio. Kevin is also another very insecure 12
year old (turns 13 this week), who doesn’t know his dad. He asked to play
goalie, so I reluctantly let him. He was amazing! Really! No fear, aggressive,
etc. Sure, he made mistakes, but I was really impressed. Well, after the little boy's game in Ojojona, the older boys
traveled to Santa Ana for theirs. When it was all done, Kevin decided to
get on the back bumper of the bus and rock it up and down. For whatever reason,
I lost it and chewed Kevin out. He was just being a boy, doing stupid things and he didn’t deserve the reaming that I gave him. (So much for the great game he
played in light of the severe lecture he received.) PRAY for Kevin to know Jesus
and find his security in Him. PRAY for me that I learn not to let the boys push
me over the edge – they already get yelled at a lot by adults. I need to be a new breed of parent; a “spiritual father” filled with mercy, love and a whole bus full of
grace.
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| Friday Afternoon Girl's Bible Study |
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| One of my discipling specialties - teaching my son how to go to bed! |
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| Reading break with the momma and frozen bananas |
“So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord alone. But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”
Joshua 24:14-15 (NLT)
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| Beautiful RO4Y afternoon |
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