Team's First Sunday

Sundays tend to be a slow start at our house. We listen to praise music in English in the house during breakfast [today reheated pancakes, cinnamon rolls, toast, bananas and cornflakes were available.] No cooks working for us today so a few folks helped with the dishes while Anna and Eli chopped up carrots and chayote squash for noon.

Anna talked Grandma Thede into taking the spot in the cab next to Cory so that she could ride in the back with the rest of the kids. So after six adults got situated in the cab and 6 more of us loaded into the back of the truck we headed out. Unfortunately no one counted heads-as we missed Heidi but when we stopped to open the gates to drive off the compound we saw her hurrying down the hill.

The Port Margot Wesleyan church remains the largest in the Northern District and lays only a couple of kilometers West of Fauche. A good thing that John Pierre held a few benches open for us [folks meet in the sanctuary for Sunday school before church] as the church filled up rapidly. Members of this church number more than 500 and the school age children do not meet in the sanctuary with the adults as all seats are taken. The children enjoy their own service at a second location.

Lots of singing, music, announcements, Bible reading, introduction of visitors, offering, then members in good standing [as well as visitors who wished] were served communion. Around 20 minutes to noon the preacher started to preach. The sermon content focused on communion symbols and how different kinds of bread or drinks can be used. He noted that communion is a reminder of what the Lord did to save us but we cannot be saved by only taking communion.

Because of the long service the last hymn was skipped and we left after the benediction. Many people greeted us on our way out to the truck. The service lasted close to 3 hours-a bit longer than we are used to and much longer for our visitors.

We enjoyed vegetable, chicken stir fry for lunch and cookies. A few brave team members tried bread nuts which without salt taste a bit like plane potatoes without any seasoning. Tonight we will finish up the pizza and pumpkin soup leftovers and enjoy rice and bread puddings.

This afternoon the team received their introduction to part of the Kid's Club children.

The children who participate in the Compassion program already had a meeting this afternoon so today's Kid's Club participants were fewer in number but very enthusiastic!

Next week the team is planing a skit for Kid's Club.