What a Day!

Gracias a Dios para su gran poder y amor!
What a day it has been here at Casa Bernabe and God has truly been working through our team already!
There are many projects taking place here at the orphanage right now and it is an honor to be able to take part in all of them! This morning the men started on the sewer trench that is going to be replaced...the men certainly showed what it means to be hard-workers and most of them came back with sun burns to prove it! The men were blessed by a young girl named Ophelia who jumped in and began working with them on the trench. It is such a blessing to see such young children with a desire to work and serve!
Today we also had the opportunity to sort through MUCHAS BANANAS! The orphanage recieved a donation of at least twenty boxes of locally grown bananas and there was simply too many to handle here at Casa Bernabe. It was such a blessing to see the orphanage decide to donate some of them to other shelters and orphanages around here in Frijanes.
Justin went to work today on the shelves in one of the bodegas where all the fruit is stored. At one point in time there was contact paper that was put on the shelves and now it needs to be removed and they all need to be painted. It was great to witness Justin volunteer to take on the job of removing the contact paper all by himself...and he made great progress. Now we are just waiting for the paint.
It is so inspiring how the women here take pride in their work. After working in the kitchen, it is evident that because everything is homemade and home-raised, there is much more pride in what is being done. It puts it in perspective as to how lazy us Americans can be when we just run to GFS to get a big bag of frozen fruit or vegetables...but not here, there is no GFS or Costco, everything is done by hand; gardening, cutting, etc.
This evening the women on our team were able to minister to the girls in Casa de Alabanza [ages 12-18]. This afternoon we had the opportunity to start making the dough for empanadas [sort of like a crepe, only much better] with the girls and it was so much fun! After dinner, we prepared a devotion and gave it to them which was such an awesome experience. We talked with them about how Christ is such a great gift and we were able to emphasize the excitement that comes with recieving a gift with a small regalo [gift] for each girl. They were so thrilled to recieve something so small as a notebook and pencil! After we were finished with the discussion and prayer, we were able to comfort a nine year old girl named Maria Fernanda. Maria and her sister both live in Casa de Albanza and about a year ago their dad was killed. Maria [Mafer...her nickname] has been really struggling with this and wakes up in the night with night terrors and panic attacks. After the discussion tonight, it was evident that the devil was attacking Mafer. She was not herself and she began to sob uncontrollably claiming that she couldn't breath well and her heart was beating really fast. It was evident that she was filled with fear as she cried out "mi papito" or "my father." We ask that you would lift Mafer up in your prayers, commit her to the Holy Spirit and pray that she would seek out the love of Christ at this time in her life. What a horrific thing to be encountering at such a small age. But God is in control of all situations and we have faith that he knows what Mafer can handle.
One other thing that we need prayer for...a refigerator. The refrigerator in the kitchen is not working well and there is a huge need for a new one. Please pray that the people here at the orphanage would find a way to fund a new one and that our group would be called to help them in that area.
There are constantly needs around here and we ask that you would continue to pray for Casa Bernabe. It is a great place where the love of Christ shines throughout.
May God bless you as you are praying for our group and for the people here in Guatemala!