Pan de Vida was again blessed by a team from Canada. This team was a bit different than some of the others as it was made of all women.  Some of the team know each other and some did not so they all starting knowing others when the team was formed and logistics were being planned.  Each member brought a different gift to the team and it was interesting to see how God worked it all out for them to exercise that.

The team had many activities planned for the children of the Orphanage along with 2 outreaches.  The team made food hampers and planned craft and games for an outreach to Mount Sinai Church here in Queretaro.  The Pastors of this church planted it several years ago but still struggle with getting adequate facilities to minister in.  You can tell the hunger the people have for God as many come for these outreaches.  We pray God will continue to send teams and individuals to assist them in their financial and spiritual needs.

During the week, the team had things planned for the kids and volunteers of Pan de Vida.  Many of the women sewed curtains for the current  home for the older boys and the small boys dorm.  They also made 100 shawl/blankets for the women of the Otomi Tribe in Amealco.  The team brought along about 20 duffle bags of goods that were donated and made in Canada to be distributed in all areas of their ministry during the trip. 

One of the team members felt led to do a "Spa Night" for all the older girls.  They set up stations for pedicures, manicures and a waiting area.  There was everything in the waiting area from reading material to chocolates, candles and even the mood music.  What a treat for the kids and even us volunteers that were able to get pampered in this activity.  It was great to see the kids enjoy the fellowship with the team as well.  Each of the girls received a gift bag of lotions and creams in a bag that was hand sewn by Helping Hands in Canada.  The kids were very excited by this gift as they can use the bag for school as well.

One of the team members came and cut hair for the kids and volunteers.  The timing was perfect as some of the girls had been "models" for the Pan de Vida girls that are in Vocational school to cut hair and needed some "fixing" done or as Violeta said in exercising her English..."we operations to get repairs."

There were also members who planned crafts and puppet plays for the kids.  It was planned to have them rotate from each section and then come back for a final message.  They enjoyed it so much, it was hard for us to get the rotation in action.  The kids would have stayed and strung froot loops into necklaces all day if we had let them..well plus they were eating half as they worked on them.  Also each day, the team had a mosaic mural that they added pieces to and the kids had to guess what it was.  The kids loved it and gathered more each day as they added pieces.  The finished product was Noah's Ark.

As always there was also some construction work.  Some of the women got the walls grouted, sanded and painted in the bathrooms for Justo and Elia's apartment.  The hallway was grouted and all the edging was applied and now that area is finished.  Ira is almost finished with the tiles in the kitchen area of their apartment as well.

A real treat for us volunteers was a women's tea that the team hosted in the visitor's dorm.  They had thought out all the details and provided each of us with gift bags afterward of lotions, shampoos and grooming items.  We all commented how exciting it was to feel so special and receive gifts that we can pamper ourselves with.  The best blessing was the testimony time of the tea as everyone briefly shared what they do.  We have many new volunteers and this was an opportunity for us all to become more united.

The week for us ended with a volunteer supper that they treated us to at a local restaurant. Again a great evening of fellowship.  The team ended their trip by going to Amealco and doing an Outreach at the Otomi House.  They had many bags of items that they donated along with the shawls they made.  While there, the Otomi children were able to minister to the team with a skit they had been practicing through the Sunday School classes.  Again this is a ministry in a small remote village and we continue to pray for growth and an open spirit toward the Gospel from the people.

In summary, I have to say that this team has left and with it they have left an imprint on all of our hearts.  We all feel so pampered and encouraged that they thought so much of us to do these special things.  It has been a real refreshment.  All us volunteers are each so busy in what we do that we do not get to spend much time with each other and this was a wonderful opportunity for us to reconnect and in a relaxed atmosphere. We truly feel like Princesses of the KING!

This weekend Pan de Vida celebrated the 15th year birthdays of Carmen and Bertha.  In Mexico, when girls turn 15 it is as big an event as most women's weddings in other cultures.  It is important for the kids to know the traditions of their heritage and at the same time ministering to them the importance of becoming a young woman. 

The service started with praise and worship to God through music and then Justo delivered a message on how each should walk with God and live according to the word of the Bible.  The girl each received gifts of a ring to symbolize their commitment to God, a Bible to live by and a photo album to document their journey. 

This is our 3rd Quinceñera to attend and what I love the most is how each of the girls embrace dressing up like the princesses they are.  They get full of excitement as they get their nails, hair and make-up done.  They are definitely princesses as they are children of the King!

Our internet provider isn't allowing me to upload many photos so here is a link to an album I was able to create on a different page. 

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=165904&id=511160411&l=d2b3e462ca

Enjoy~

Psalm 119:9  How can a young man keep his ways pure? By living according to your word.

Saturday was a day filled with renewal in many different ways. First, Ira and I moved back to Pan de Vida into one of the apartments recently constructed above the kitchen.  It will allow us to be more available in different areas of ministry since what we do isn't a 9-5 work schedule.  We are looking forward to growing more in the ministry and relationships with the children and other volunteers.

Also on Saturday morning, Pan de Vida hosted a women's breakfast and Evangelical Bible Study.  This ministry was prompted when many women showed interest from the Summer Bible School in wanting to fellowship more around the Word of God.  Elia organized this breakfast and even though some from Summer Bible School did not come, it was a time that the on-site volunteers could fellowship with other women from area communities that do attend the church at Pan de Vida..  It is a blessing to have a time to spend together in prayer and encouragement to one another.  This week the message was on how God views us.  Many of us become self critical on how we look and sometimes feel that what we do as women, Mom's or wives may not be of value or importance.  Elia talked about how the God who created the universe in all its detail is the one that also created us.  Then the time was opened up to sharing and prayer requests.  It was then that a woman shared how she was overcome with depression and God provided opportunity for her to be prayed over.  These meeting will continue to be held every other Sat mornings at 10am at Pan de Vida. 

Then to round the day off, The Levi Youth Group reunited after a 6 week break.  With Justo and Elia no longer being involved because of their commitment in other ministries of the church and school, Paco, Elena and Kike wanted to take time to pray and refocus the direction they felt God wanted the youth group to go.  The new theme for this term is "Being Light to the World".  The leaders presented activities that demonstrate how God uses us to be a light to those in darkness. The youth divided into groups of 2 with 1 being blindfolded and then led vocally by the other.  The task took them the length of the road, which is a lengthy distance blindfolded.  They then continued a 40 min hike along paths around Pan de Vida with only a flashlight to guide them.  A message was presented from God's Word connecting these activities.  The message was followed by worship in songs and fellowship all by candlelight.

We continue to pray for growth among the children, youth and volunteers of Pan de Vida.  We pray all these ministries will glorify God and the work he has called us each to do according to his purpose for our lives.

Psalm 18:28  You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.