Third day of the trip, it’s Wednesday, and the group spent the day in Acuna.
If you caught today’s earlier mobile post, for those of us on the JOY (Jesus – Others -You) Tour and puppet team, the morning started with a smooth border crossing, followed by a police stop (scroll down to read more on that).
All four vans then continued to a small elementary school, where Pat from Faith Mission introduced the group to the principal, teachers and students.
As the puppet team set up for their show, the rest of the group visited a classroom, where the children sang them a song in English. They then visited a younger class of students — who sang them Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (in Spanish). And the POWER men sang the same song back to the students in English (to wild applause of course).
Music is important in education, so the kids were definitely ready when the puppets took center stage. Lots of music, lots of cheering and lots of fun.
There’s nothing quite like watching a group of men known for their ability to build homes and churches — taking on their alter egos in the form of these fantastic puppets.
Pat then rounded up the JOY team, while the puppeteers continued to wow the kids. Two vans took off to the store to pick up fresh tortillas (and soccer balls). The vans were already loaded with clothes, blankets, beanies, caps and gloves (along with bibles and candy). With a few more provisions they headed to a community that was in need.
They gave testimony, and handed out their two van loads of clothes and goodies to the large group of both adults and children gathered. What a testament to the power of JOY!
Lunch at Mission 1 was followed by visits to the various project sites. To get more done; of course. The youth center got its roof on, and practically looked like a finished building before crews pulled out. This building will be finished once week two arrives next week.
Then on to dinner, and three more hours on the road as the group launched for Laredo. And of course. A lot more tomorrow!
Written by David McKnight
Pictures provided by Chis Cho & Daniel Balboa