Excursions

After a week of hard work we got to go to an island oasis for a break. The weather was perfect and the kids enjoyed the sea and sand for a day. Many took advantage of the warm calm sea and went snorkeling. We also tromped through the trees looking for boa's that are said to be on the island. We saw very large fish that followed us around in the water called Permit as well as a baby sea horse, a squid, starfish and a Portuguese Man-O-War...Yikes...and many other smaller fish. Several came back with sunny side up calves and backs but all enjoyed their day in the sun.

Health Ministry

The people of Punta Gorda were very happy to hear about how they can reverse their diabetes and heart disease. Many expressed thier gratefulness in Charmaine Daniels presentation on health and asked if she would please come back so their friends and family could hear what they learned. The effort went for 4 half days and was very well received. Even our kids learned some things that they had not heard before. The need to educate here is great and now the doors have been opened to share the health message in a big way.

Final Days at the Job Site

There are some major changes on the church that will be a blessing in the future for the congregation here in Punta Gorda. The kids worked very hard on Friday to finish the cement work and painting of the school. What a blessing to see their eagerness to finish what they started. Here are the final results of their service.

Final Days

The adult Evangelism went well also. Attendance was small but the Lord truly blessed. We had 11 baptisms on Sabbath, some as a result of the meetings. What a blessing! Praise God for His goodness and love. Here are some pictures of those who preached for the evangelistic meetings. These young people are truly on fire for the Lord and are willing to stand for Him!

Josh Pratt

Elissa McMurry

Lindsey Henning

Jesse Hernandez

Lindsey Pratt

Final Days

We averaged about 135 kids each day for Vacation Bible School. It was a real blessing to hear each of the kids present the truths of the bible to the Mayan children. They all did a great job. Each of them took it seriously and presented themselves wonderfully. The Lord was glorified.

Juliana Mathews



Sydney Larsen

Kayla Henning

Dicia Cuneo


Lauren Opsahl



Jade Mena



Erika Thalman and Jeanette Esquer

Update on the Church

The church has been painted on the outside and looks great! Jesse Hernandez has worked the paint crew very hard and we now see the progress.









The roofing crew has gotten all the trusses up now and the zink roof will be placed soon.









The old platform has been steadily pounded to bring it to the floor level. We took the baptistery out and will move the platform back against the wall to make more room. The church members want to do their baptisms outside in the ocean or nearby river.






The pew sanding and finishing crew have just about prepped every pew and they will soon be varnishing.



Vacation Bible School is going very well. Our numbers have dwindled a bit because of another local VBS that started Monday. The numbers are much more manageable which is great but we miss having the huge crowd that we once had. Sydney Larsen presented the program for VBS on Monday, with competition from the pouring rain on the metal roof of the school The Lord answered our prayers and we were able to play outside after the slide show. Kayla Henning presented the program Tuesday and did a wonderful job in spite of power problems that interupted her presentation.









Josh Pratt presented the adult effort on Monday and Lindsey Henning presented the adult effort on Tuesday.





One of the little boys from the village cut his foot on a rock. His name is Nervin and he is 7 years old. Dr. Fred Mathews and Roy Opsahl got him fixed right up with 3 stitches on his toe.





There is an outbreak of pink eye in the village and several children are struggling with it. We will be bringing medicine to the village to get control of the outbreak. Roy and Carole Opsahl have been giving care to the kids that have weepy eyes. What a blessing to have these folks on the trip. It is a wonderful blessing to be able to meet physical needs as well as spiritual ones.



The Lord just keeps blessing each and every one of us. We are all growing and learning and sharing on this trip. The Holy Spirit is making a difference here and we are thrilled to be a part of the Lords work. Thank you for your continued prayers.