Today has been a day of exploring and relaxation. Most of the team headed out to the shoreline to walk the beach. A few brave souls actually put there feet in the water. The waves were 5 to 10 feet high in different areas. Fog was so dense that it wasn’t until late afternoon that they were able to see a very high rock cliff that was being hid in it. Some were able to climb high onto another ledge to get as close as 100 ft. to a sea lion that was resting there. He had been hurt in battle, probably defending his harem. There were a few other female sea lions resting nonchalant in various places, knowing that the male had all under control. There is a ship sunk out to sea in this area and the swordfish which are very aggressive and do not like any thing strange in their territory will come at it with all their force, actually piercing the metal sides. What happens next is very sad. The swordfish in his angry strike gets caught deep into the side of the ship and can not pull himself loose. He ends up dying stuck in the side of the ship. Humans are just as stupid sometimes, letting their anger get so out of control that they are stuck in the midst of it with no way out and someone else comes and takes advantage of the situation they got themselves into. So it is with the swordfish. Local divers will go down to the ship looking for the fateful outcome to use it to their advantage. They cut the sword off the fish and pull it out of the ship. Bring it to shore, put a handle on it and now it is a beautiful and unusual souvenir. We need to make sure our life leaves footprints of joy and peace from knowing Jesus on someone’s mantel and not the sword of anger.

Also on this outing many folks toured an active coal mine where they went down into the mine about 500 feet. Not everyone wanted to try this activity. There were also caves to explore and a beautiful lookout point where you could see clear across the city of Le Bu. The mountains and scenery here is fabulous.

We have a little ping pong tournament about to start here in the school. There was a table already here and we had brought paddles and balls with us thinking we could buy a net for the table. Not so… So with a little ingenuity I was able to sew up a net and with the help of Bev T. and Rigo who made the side brackets there are girls playing on it now.

Some of our team have gone in to town to the local nursing home to visit with the residents. The nursing home is one of the projects that we have decided to take on as a community service project while here. There are no side rails in the bathrooms to help the older folks not to fall and we are going to make and install them. Also put rails down the hallways for them to hold on to. There is one lady living there who is 107 years old and is still functioning well.

Here is one little tidbit of information you might enjoy. The toilets in South America really do flush in the opposite direction then above the equator! Water goes down any drain counter clockwise; I always thought that was just a fable.

The medical team moves to a different community tomorrow and our evangelistic thrust will begin in the evening. Keep those prayers coming in full force. We need might angels to go before us in all our work.

Now unto Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. Jude 24, 25

Don’t forget to P.U.S.H. (pray until something happens)

Smiles in Jesus,

Jennifer L Young

Mission Reporter