Habitat for Humanity Work Days

Thanks to all the construction and support volunteers who worked at the Cleo Avenue work site July 7 and August 5! Some comments from volunteers: "Thank you...for enlisting us and arranging the work day. But please tell me why I'm so tired!" "You  should have seen the disappointment on the faces when Patrick asked everyone to stop for the day. I said,"I can't, my nail gun still has nails left in it!"" "Fue un verdadero placer." "I had a great day!  I'd like to share the pictures I've taken both work days!" "It was lots of fun and getting to know some folks.  Thanks for organizing this." To see more photos, click on this LINK!

Liberia Trip Report

The team recently returned from Liberia with some fantastic memories. I will share a few here. Our mission this time was two-fold: (1) do a discipleship training weekend with 13 of the older students from the schools we support and (2) help train the teachers at the 'Coca-Cola school'. The discipleship training weekend included four of the students that our JHers and HSers support: Princess (10th graders), Naomi (9th graders), Ojuku (8th graders) and Abraham (7th graders). This was a huge highlight for me (Shawn) - to teach the scriptures to our students and spend a lot of time with them. We had a lot of fun too. We taught them a few games that we play with our JHers, including Ninja. Even though many didn't know what a Ninja was, they loved the game. :) Then, the teachers in our group worked with the teachers at the 'Coca-Cola School', showing them new methods for teaching various subjects including English and Math. I think the teachers were helped immensely, and they were very appreciative. Thank-you for your prayers!

In reflecting on this trip, I have two major thoughts that keep bouncing around my head. One is how distracting our lives here in the States are to the two most important things in life: loving God and loving people. Here in the west, we are either too busy to do these things, or we entertain ourselves so much that we don't have time to do either of these two things. What can we do in our busy lives here in Silicon Valley to make these two things our top two priorities? This is a question I'm trying to ask myself everyday.

Secondly, we were privileged to meet many of the children that are sponsored by attendees of PBCC and PBCWG. And, I want you all to hear that it is very evident that you are making a huge difference in the lives of these students. Life is hard for these children, but your faithfulness has helped strengthen their faith, has given them unmistakable hope and has instilled in them a quiet joy. At one point, they sang the song, ‘Because He Lives’, which seems to have so much more meaning when they sing it. Know that God is honoring your commitment to them. Please remember that, and please keep praying for them.