A New Roof

The team has been hard at work over the last couple of days making improvements to Norma's house which doubles as a worship center. The ladies scraped, sanded, and stained any wood surface they could find as well as the wood boards that would become the new roof. Last night around 10pm they nailed the last board in place. Now they will roll out a membrane that should seal the roof from water leaking in. Norma and her family was so excited to see their new roof, it brought tears to their eyes.


Yesterday we did our second outreach a Church called Christ is The Way. Almost 50 kids came to do crafts, and drink chocolate milk and eat sweet bread, and hear the creation story. We had such an amazing time sharing Jesus's love with the kis in Catamarca. We heard so many heart breaking stories of abuse and neglect and to children that are so young. Please lift these children up in your prayers. There is physical, and sexual abuse Families with drug problems, and neglect. Even despite all of this these children have so much love.

After the out reach we went to the grotto where supposedly the virgin Mary appeared. Before we went up to the Grotto we prayed for the people who are trapped in the idolatry. It was not until we went up to the grotto that we fully understood the extent of it. It begins with the stations of the cross where they add two stations where Mary goes up to heaven and is blessed by God. Here she is credited with performing miracles. People would go to the grotto and pray to Mary for healing and many other things. If their prayer is answered they leave a plaque or erect a sort of shrine to Mary in thanks. What is so heart breaking is that even though they believe in Jesus they give the credit to Mary. They have forgotten that Jesus is the Lord. Please pray for these people. They are so close to a personal relationship with God yet so far away from it. They call her the Virgin of the Valley and they worship her, a piece of wood instead of Jesus. Pray for the people of Catamarca to find the truth. Pray for Scott and Ruth and the churches they work with to continue to grow and to continure to have the courage to preach the  Gospel.

We returned to the church after we went and prayed for the salvation of the pilgrims at the grotto we returned to the church and had a beautiful time of fellowship with the pastor ad his family. They served us tea and sweet rolls, and then they sag for us. After wards Sarah, Nancy, and Stephanie, were able to sing for them. We ended the time of fellowship with prayer.

Last night we had to say goodbye to a new friend who helped us and touched us in a mighty way. Miguel came with such a bright attitude and willingness to help. He was our announcer for the first children's outreach, and helped to paint and put on the new roof. With everything he did he brought the love of Christ with him. We will all count him as a blessing to know and a life long friend.