Day 3: Monday, July 12

   You've got to look up to see the stars.  And there are a lot of them.  Some are more visible--some seem to shine more than others--but they are there.  UP THERE.  
                          "TO INFINITY AND BEYOND!!!"

   It was neat to stand in our last night's final prayer circle under the stars that shine on us and everyone else on our planet.  Neat that we raised our vista towards the heavens and offered up our prayers of thanks and our prayers requesting our work forthcoming to be blessed . . . and saw the stars.




(Photo Right:  Stephanie Basinger strikes a pose before breakfast as our first recipient of the coveted Festival of Sharing hat for extraordinary service on Monday.) 

The morning started early with a carb loaded meal to provide the energy for a full day of work and play.  A crew of 17 trekked to Maneadero to begin the building of a 2-room house--but for an older couple from there--soon to be their home. It was slightly different building a house for an older couple. But those who are living in the twilight of life deserve compassion, too.  And they seemed grateful for the house and the love,...... and the great PBJ sandwich!!!  New workers and new ways of swinging a hammer.  The day was hot and long, but 4 walls stood at 3:00 P.M. where once only a concrete slab lay.  A group of 12 headed to the same area and cooked 200 hot dogs for a small community using the back yard grill from the tiny Church of Christ there.  The neighborhood families came from all over to enjoy the free lunch and toys that our group had tightly packed in the 2 vans.

   Yet another 8 headed into the city to begin a much needed and appreciated painting project at the local school.  This is a great work and a great relations tool that can only help the City of Children in the eyes of their community.  The City of Children already shines like stars and the fresh paint adds a special luster to them.  9 others stayed on campus to add some needed attention to young babies and toddlers by playing, holding, loving, and caring for them in playtime and puppet shows.  Hats off to those who daily work the puppet show, but their true reward is the laughter and singing that reaches heavenly ears as well.

   One other work was administering vision screenings to 35 of the children by Dr. Jeff McClain. With the help of Lilliana and Ydira, at least 6 children were found to have significant visual problems that need further attention by a local doctor.
   WOW--and that was all before 3 P.M.!!!

As the evening settled in, our skit team continued the story of HABITAR in which evil forces were battling good forces.  At risk was the souls of mankind through the direct conflict of 5 teenagers.  Evil Darth Siniestro was intent on keeping the Manual of Secrets away from the 3 teens while Commander Marco Antonio and his helpers (interns Kinsley & Richard) were plotting the ultimate destruction of Darth Siniestro using our teen heroes.  Darth and his minions have a secret weapon, but Marco revealed an even greater warrior for the good guys, "Buzz Lightyear" (Joe Mayes) and his classic flying entrance and "TO INFINITY AND BEYOND" declaration.  With 6 shuttle teams now formed from our group and the Mexicanos, we shall look forward to seeing how their story unfolds as the week goes on.

(Photo Left:  Ashley & Jennifer McGee play the part of a teleportee in the evening skit.)

   But the week goes on with work to do.  And the "weak" must go on as well to do His work.  We can see God at work here through our people, but, surprisingly, our group members see God at work through those they minister to.  The days are long, the weariness is beginning to set in, but Paul speaks to us in Phillipians 2:14-15
"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe."

   Paul wasn't a complainer . . . and he could have looked down on himself.  But he looked up--he sought God and saw the stars shining above.

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star--How I wonder WHO you are . . . .  Which star is me?

Jeff McClain

Fab Five Today:
1.  "El mes de tres" (The Month of Three)
2.  Balloon Wars
3.  Where is the bathroom?
4.  Joe "Buzz" Mayes
5.  Suzie with Machetes

The Festival of Sharing award Monday went to Erica Goslowsky for a three -star day.  She led a great teen girls' class for the Mexican and US girls in the morning, volunteered for some definite clean-up grunt work in the afternoon and finished by taking someone else's place on dinner crew while they were in skit practice.