The ‘maninilsil’ on the work team has
been a very important part of the building project. He is the one who uses a
ripping chisel - or in this case, a piece of plastic pipe with a nail in it -
to pry pieces of cement away that need to be removed.
This little tool has been extremely busy
as we work on getting new electrical outlets put in and new pipes and fittings
for the plumbing. The builders helping
us originally thought that we were looking at about 3 months of work, but it is
looking like it may only be just a little over 2 months before we can move in which
would be wonderful.
The two-family missionary team, both
sent from the Tumpagon church, have been serving in Ricodo for close on 5 years
now and Paul said to them after witnessing the amazing things God is doing through them:
“Guys, the work you are doing here, all I can say is that it’s just
nothing short of WONDERFUL. To God be the GLORY!”
It really was just wonderful to see what
God is doing through the team there: the way the church is growing, the
outreach they are doing, the discipleship happening, the way they are teaching
faithful brothers and sisters to teach others……their hospitality… their love
for Jesus!
One of these visitors in Ricodo was this little 5 year old who so cutely
and fearlessly showed me the enlarged lymph nodes in his neck and skin lesions
on his hands and feet which led me to believe he has a tuberculous infection. I
tried to advise his Mom as best as I could and we’ll follow up on him to make
sure he gets treated. Another lady came and hugged us who had been crippled up
with tuberculosis last year and on her deathbed, but thanks to the availability
of skype, we were able to call from Australia and get in touch with contacts
the Lord had given us and have doctors and accommodation waiting for her at the
hospital. She was on treatment for months but is now restored to health, and is
longer crippled – she was walking!
This is their beautiful new church
building in Ricodo – our first time to see it.
The missionaries asked Paul to share the
Word which he always loves to do and afterwards we ate a meal together.
The trip back was uneventful but long
because we ran into a couple of bridges only partially open due to ongoing repairs
which held us up for a long time. The day grew even longer later on as we got a
desperate call from a young lady who had been apprehended and Paul and I found
ourselves separated at night in a huge crowded market while he tried to find a
place to park the car and I tried to find our terrified friend. Paul walked
into the police station trying to find me and asked, “Is my wife here?” The
police looked at the overcrowded holding cell which could hardly hold another offender,
and said in a very surprised tone, “Your wife is HERE?” (Hilarious some of the
situations we find ourselves in.) The story has a good ending as we were able
to talk to authorities on behalf of our friend, pay her fine and take her
safely home to her family.
We’re so thankful that we can be here
serving our incredible Saviour in any way He wants us to and we’re so thankful
for your lives as you serve Him where you are and for your love, prayers and
encouragement!!!!
