Sunday

The team had another great day in the village.

Church lasted a few hours and included a lot of singing.  Out team even got to share some songs with the church.  Nick had the opportunity to give a short message.  He had to speak through an interpreter which he said was challenging.  Even with a pretty funny cultural fopa it all turned out well!

After church they had lunch and divided up for a bible study.  The students, women and men broke into different groups.  Nick said the the men had an amazing bible study and were really able to connect with the locals.

They team then headed out to visit more homes.  The homes are literally mud huts.   Nick said a large one is about 10 x 12 feet for a whole family.  Some were too small for Nick to fit in, he is 6.2.

One family really affected the team.  A widowed woman who has seven children, two small huts, some land and one bull.  To support her family she has to work day labor jobs.  They spoke with her ill, six year old son and he explained how they really need a second bull.  Apparently the second bull would make their life much better.  It would help with caring for the land and help to make money for the family.   The team asked the guide how much it would cost to buy a bull... $30.  This family was only $30 away from a better life and when the mom makes around a dollar a day the second bull is a long way away.  The team was amazing at how much we take for granted $30.  (On a side note, the team is not allowed to give anything to the villagers.  So even though the team was willing to hand over the $30 they are not allowed by the organization they are with.)

To get back to the hotel they have to drive through the slums.  Nick said it is hard to believe the poverty.  Small children running around without shoes on rock roads, children in torn clothes and families who have a hard time paying the $.20 a day for clean water.

The team ended the day with dinner at the hotel.  They had rice and goat.  Nick said it was surprisingly good.  After dinner they headed to the pool.

Tomorrow is their first working day in the village.  They have a road project to finish a bridge.

Continue to pray for the team as they struggle through all they are seeing.