Oriente

Newsletter -Oriente

Alyse Haldeman

About a week ago, Jeremy, Dani and I returned from a trip to Eastern Venezuela, also known as Oriente. The trip was muy chevere (Venezuelan slang for cool). Early friday morning, (the 29th), the three of us and about thirty others from the church got on a bus to Caracas, and another one then to Oriente. We
took up most of the bus with people and several gigantic trash bags that held supplies for the children's bible school.

Friday night was spent praying, singing and talking (also some last minute planning) about the next day. Jose talked about preparing the way for Jesus, bringing heaven to earth. I kept thinking about the seeds of love, life, freedom and joy we could be planting in hearts of the children the next day. My prayer was that those children would not be so worried with the cares of this world that those seeds would be choked. That those seeds wouldn't be stolen or reasoned away. That their hearts wouldn't be hard but would be ready to receive them and that God could make them grow. We stayed up close to midnight praying and talking, which I normally wouldn't have thought anything about, except we were getting up at 6 the next morning.

It was about midnight when we were all ready for bed. Luckily, I remembered it was Dani's birthday the next day. The other seven girls in the room joined me in a count down to midnight. If everyone hadn't already been awake, we might have had some very grumpy Venezuelans coming to our room. As it was, we only got in trouble twice. The girls in our room were infected with the sleepy haha's and from there on out was plain silliness. The craziness in our room did not end with the admonitions, only became a softer, if possible, even more silly room.

We woke up rather unwillingly around 6 the next morning, ate, got ready and then canvassed the area to invite every child to bible school. For the few houses we went to, tons of children came. I was surprised and also a little overwhelmed. There wasn't much organization for the kids. They didn't have games for the kids to play while they were still setting up. So, along with the help from one of the youth, Rachel, we played duck, duck, goose. Only a few of them knew the game but they caught on rather quick and loved it. It was difficult at first, explaining the game and especially since one of the young boys was both deaf and mute and another had down-syndrome.

We gave all the kids, smilely face white shirts that said, "Yo soy de Jesus" (I am of Jesus). I don't think I've seen more thankful children before. There was so much joy, laughter and smiles. I bet living in such a remote place, those children don't receive much attention or entertainment, they just loved it. I want to go back sometime.

Saturday night was spent with a worship service for the adults. Freddy, Oscar and Eddison all gave their testimonies after Graciela's "sermon." Both Oscar and Eddison had experienced physical healing and Freddy accepted Christ after his wife had been praying for him for a long time. After the service, Charlys, Noemi and I sat around singing and playing the guitar. Eventually other people joined and there was an impromtu worship service. It was broken up, however, by one of Eddison's niece's accepting Christ. The joy was contagious. We prayed for her and she joined our worship service. It was broken up again by a short rain. It was fine, though, because when we moved into the house, another niece accepted Christ. At this point, any last remaining resevor broke. It was joyful mayheim. About 20 people jumping up and down, singing, "Te doy Gloria", I give you the glory.

Praises:

-Brett's family was able to visit us for a week, and blessed us with chocolate, stories, and laughter (i.e. blade of grass).

Prayers:
-La vigilia is on the 20th, which is an annual all night praise, worship, and prayer time with the theme of wakefulness in order to engage in spiritual warfare.

-Ceferino has talked many times of his dreams for the expanision of the church in different ways, i.e. a church van, a building with more classrooms and bigger area for the church. Please pray that money will come, following God's direction.