First day of VBS

Today was the first day of VBS at Agua Viva.  The theme this year is stories about boats.  The story for today was Jonah, which was acted out as a drama with a whale that actually "ate" Jonah.

The Haven team taught the crafts,

was in charge of game time,
and helped out in each of the classrooms.
In total about 65 children attended VBS, and 8 mothers joined the ladies class.
In the afternoon the team worked on finishing painting the exterior of the building, running wiring to the new kitchen, and working on crafts and games for tomorrow.

Great first day!  We are looking forward to tomorrow!!

Sunday

On Sunday we worshiped at three different churches, Sunday School at Cristo Arca de Salvacion, Worship service at Agua Viva, and Evening service at Dios Viviente with the men from the rehab center.  All three services were a blessing and opportunity for the group to fellowship with different brothers in Christ.  After the evening service we visited Jesse's family in Terrazas de Valle, friends we made 4 years ago on the last Haven team.

Saturday

Today the group poured a cement side walk leading to the bathrooms, painted more on the buildings and doors, and worked on getting the VBS craft projects ready.

In the evening the ladies from Auga Viva prepared fish tacos, shrimp quesadillas, fruit salad and ice cream for our dinner. Great food!

We also celebrated birthdays Mexican style, with a piñata.

Welcome to Mexico, Haven CRC Youth!

This past Thursday a group of young people from Haven CRC in Zeeland, MI joined us to help at the Agua Viva mission.

On Friday they poured a cement pad in front of the new kitchen,

and began painting the outside of all the buildings.  They got a long ways the first day.

 They also helped move a pile of wood that was too close to the buildings for comfort in the fire season.

Thank you Oak Harbor CRC!

This morning the team finished up, crossed the border, and began the long trip home.

Thank you all so much for laboring with us this week.

Wednesday finishing up

Wednesday morning the group finished the first coat of mud on all the walls and the ceiling, something to celebrate!

During the morning break, all enjoyed raspados (deluxe fruit snow cones) made by friends Edgardo and Ada.

And for lunch, the ladies from Emanuel made Michiotes!

In the afternoon we took a cultural tour of Tijuana, including the border fence

and cathedral down town.

Tuesday more fun with mud

Today everyone worked hard to get the first coat of mud on the walls

and on the ceiling.

Corner beading around the windows was also installed.

Back to work

Yesterday the team from Oak harbor worshiped with the Emanuel Church. In the afternoon we toured some of the other missions and churches they have helped at in the past.

Today it was back to work on the drywall. They are three sheets away from having it all up. They started the first coat of mud as well. Great work!

Rocking Saturday

Today the group from Oak Harbor, WA put up a ton of drywall.

They also worked on the plumbing for the new kitchen.

Great start team!

Passing the baton

This evening as the group from Denver finished up their work for the week, the team from Oak Harbor drove up. For the first time the two groups were in Mexico at the same time. We had a joint dedication prayer. What a blessing.

Friday

The 2012 Adult team finished well,

the electrical is done,

the roof is shingled.

The team wore tangerine today to honor "the Skipper" Dick Pasterkamp.

Thursday continued

A paint crew again worked at the Casa Hogar Sion Orphanage in the morning. They had plenty of helpers, big and small (older students who had the day off of school, and little ones who are not attending school yet). We can not post pictures of the children, but trust me, they are adorable!

Thursday

Today was a great day!

The framing crew put up the gable end, set the last trusses, and once the plywood arrived started sheeting the roof.

Electrical work continued,

as did the making of a new doorway for the Bible Institute.

Today the team wore pink shirts in honor of Rod Ham "Pinkie", veteran team member, who passed away last spring.

Wednesday

Today the group set the trusses and framed the last wall.

A small group painted at the Casa Hogar Sion orphanage.

more pictures

pictures

Finally the pictures have uploaded!

Denver Adults at Emanuel

This year's Adult team from 3rd CRC Denver arrived on Sunday night. They will be building a fellowship hall and kitchen on the second floor of the new sanctuary.

Monday morning was damp, but the team began building with with gusto. By the end of the day two partial walls were standing, and 9 of the 39 trusses were built.

A small team painted the new kitchen at Agua Viva.

On Tuesday the rest of the trusses were completed and lifted to the second floor. The two long walls were also finished.

Great start team!