Week 4 -- Ohio & Indiana groups

What a week! Everything seemed to go wrong -- at least according to our standards and expectations -- but there was a powerful lesson to be learned. Or multiple lessons, I should say. First of all, I was majorly stressed at the turn of events, but God spoke to me in my quiet time about not asking to be removed from difficulties but instead asking to honor and glorify God in these times. The times we learn the most are when we face the challenges that are presented to us. So early on in the week I learned to ask God how I could glorify Him through trying times such as leadership conflicts, scheduling problems, lack of organization, clashing of personalities, etc... Then, when things kept going "wrong" God really showed me that our expectations aren't necessarily right, and that even though things aren't going as we plan, HE is still in control of how they ARE going. Ultimately, His will is being done, no matter how we view the situation. So I had to change my view of the situation to recognize His sovereignty in all that was happening, and also to have patience through it. Thirdly, I learned that we must worship God first, and then He will answer our prayers. You can't stand under shelter praying for the rain to stop so that you can go out to worship and minister. God wants us to get out there and do it, no matter the circumstances. Then He will see how our hearts are devoted and genuine, and He will intercede. These are just a few things that stood out to me this week. It's easy to see the lessons now, but as a stumbled and struggled through the week, things seemed so much more overwhelming. Nevertheless, let me say that God was there with an encouraging word in my quiet time, or through a letter written to me, or a word of praise from a fellow Christian each time I got discouraged or uncertain. The most difficult week turned out to be one of the most valuable for me; Praise God my ears were open to hear Him speak.


Welcome to Dr. Arroyo!! I'm a little late on this picture, I know.

Randy from the Indiana group working with the kids and their VBS craft.

They made fish after learning the story of Jesus telling his disciples to cast their nets on the other side of the boat to catch the fish.

Translating another testimony at the service. I got to do two this week!

The Indiana group brought dramas and acted them out. This one is about hiding behind masks like beauty and humor. Jesus shows us our true identity and teaches us to love Him and ourselves.

So we poured concrete on the roof of the building at our facility and I forgot to take a final picture, but I will this week and put it on here later. I managed NOT to get concrete in my eye, although I do have some pretty sweet bruises, and I got some kind of dirty, too. This is me and Megan after lifting buckets of concrete ALL DAY!!! And I'm still sore haha

On Thursday we went a day trip to the city of Real de Catorce. There's a lot of indian influence in this city, I'm not sure of what tribe, but we saw and did some really cool stuff, and we'll be going back at least two more times.

Selling some corn, Mexican-style out of the truck bed
House in Real de Catorce w/the laundry outside

Me and Kirsten.... she's part of the summer staff, but she just left this weekend :( She's going to Belmont this fall, though, so she'll be in TN!
Narrow streets through the city. Reminds me of Spain :-)

We rode horses up to the ruins of a mining hacienda and also a ghost town built in the 1770's. Both were constructed around silver mining, which still goes on there.

Real de Catorce from above, and the wall built to keep out banditos (and to protect from falling/washing rocks)

On my horse, Mela, with the city of Real de Catorce below me. We eventually rode up to 8850 feet in altitude.

Our guide and some of the others who went horseback riding. The ruins reminded me of something out of the Chronicles of Narnia.
Peeking through a hole in the wall!
Joanne & I standing on top of the mining hacienda ruins.