DAYS 4, 5 & 6

Thoughts from the team about our time here and our activities for the last few days . . . 

"Tuesday we went to Comogos II for service, and it has been by far my favorite night. Not just because God is completely amazing but because I believe I lost some weight! These beautiful little girls kept asking to be picked up during worship, and let me tell you – it was a workout. I was not only praising for myself, but I was praising for two. But it was completely worth it because I really felt what it was like to share God’s love on a deeper level. It’s so sad to think that we only have two days left here in this wonderful place that I can honestly say feels like home." ~ Brianna Lee

"Hey to all of my family . . . I’m doing well. We all still need your prayers because the devil is fighting us very hard. The team leaders have told us that even through all of the sickness we have accomplished more than they thought our group would. It has been very fun and I have met a lot of people. The whole team works together so well and we all love each other already. We have laughed so much and have been praying for each other. I will tell you more, later. Bye for now." ~ Aaron McMillan

Aaron making mortar - adding the water in

Taking a break . . . painting days can be hard work.

"Thursday was a beautiful day here in Pavia.  The people here are so amazing, loving, and so thankful for the things that I take so lightly, such as the warm showers, the air conditioning, and other “small” things that we overlook from day to day. The team has done a wonderful job here at MCO (Mi Casa de Oración). Great works are taking place. The team is trying to find a sewage leak in Pastor Harrison’s home (pastor of MCO), so the men are taking out the bathroom walls in a very tight space. Pray for their strength because this needs to be done before we leave Pavia. Ceiling fans and lights are being installed. The team is cleaning out a stall for a playhouse for the children of the staff here at MCO. They are so excited for the playhouse, you should see their faces! We have made toy boxes and painted them pink for all their toys that each of you donated for the Pavia project. Imagine a chicken coop for a playhouse! God is so awesome! The dump truck finally arrived and was able to get rid of the debris. Thank God for the dump truck! Goat was on the menu today so goat will be on my menu when I get home. I (Nancy), Arlis and Isabel had the opportunity to go to Pastor Abraham’s church for the evening service. These folks know how to worship! We sang and praised God as the rain blew in through the cracks in the ceiling, but it felt oh so good!! Brother Arlis spoke on a prescription and recipe for life from Joshua 1 and Isabel interpreted the message. Oh, yes, before church Pastor Abraham’s wife and daughter had a wonderful meal prepared for us… very good!!! At the end of the service that night, we handed out stuffed animals, toys, candy, hair bows and coloring books that were given from our family and friends in NC (Thank you, everyone, for donating items to Pavia!). Each of you that gave to the mission project have made an impact on the lives of these folks here. The power of God is real here! The love of God is awesome. If you are reading this blog, please pray for Pastor Harrison and the team here at the House of Prayer and also our safe travel back to NC. We miss each of you but we love it here.  Be blessed!" ~ Nancy & Arlis Locklear

The food here is "Muy Rico!" (Yummy!)

Fresh eggs are the best!

Pastor's bathroom - fixing sewage leak

Busy on electrical work . . . running wires, installing fans

Taking away the debris

"Yesterday morning we hung 3 new ceiling fans, ran lots of wiring, and assembled 2 new fans. The wall of the sanctuary was finished by local pastors and Venezuelans and it looks amazing! Switches were installed. We plan on hanging two more fans today. On Wednesday, we painted the entire church." ~ Pastor Chris (when asked about projects for the last few days)

Ruth, the baby, gets lots of love from everyone!  Look at those beautiful eyes!

More wiring and installing of lights

Painting . . .

Painting . . . 

And more painting . . . hard at work!

On Wednesday: "It was awesome to be a part of the outreach- Comogos II. It was the second time Christian evangelicals had ever been able to go there. Only about thirty minutes away from Pavia, they have only allowed two groups to come into the area to present the gospel. Even we weren't allowed to preach the gospel, but we were able to sing "Jesus Loves Me" and tell them about the church here. Here in Comogos, they are not used to having many outsiders. We stopped at two places, gave away about sixty blankets and bags filled with a toothbrush, toothpaste, silly bands and stuffed animals.  It was a joy watching them receiving their gifts. It was like Christmas for them. It was kind of sad to realize how far the kids have to walk on foot to school . . . some kids have to walk an hour to an hour and a half to school and from school. School gets out at the heat of day and they still have to travel on the long, rocky hill. The people were really receptive and really excited to have people  care about them. The worship at Cabudare was amazing!!! It was Miryect and Yubi’s (two of Chris Nelson’s staff) parents’ church. I love how the people here LOVE God and show their love for other people, too. The Holy Spirit was definitely moving. We definitely felt God’s presence even before the worship began—as soon as we went into the church. There were a lot of people, so much so, that there were some people outside the door." ~ Meagan Richards and Larissa Sheffield

"Yesterday we had the privilege of going to a worship service in Cabudare. It is by far an incredible experience to be able to see two DIFFERENT cultures come together in worship. I mean, different food, different environments, different language, but it did not matter at all. No matter where you live in this world or how different we are from each other… we all worship and were created by the SAME LIVING GOD. That is amazing. Venezuela so far has been the greatest blessing. It has changed and melted my heart, changed my perspective on what is important, and I don’t want to leave! The team also has been a blessing. We have bonded so well, and I now have a new family in Christ. I love them all so, so much." ~ Felicia Bayles

"This week has strengthened me spiritually. It was very comforting to be with a team in such unity. In every situation where there was a need, the whole team came together through prayer and biblical actions. It has also been very comforting to be able to come together in song and worship with our brothers and sisters here in Venezuela even though language may stand between us. What a joy it was to see the people of Venezuela giving God there all when they only have so little. I just want to thank everyone back home for their prayers and most importantly thank God for providing for us this week with our safety, strength, courage and boldness to conquer anything that came our way. How awesome it was to be the second evangelical Christian group to ever step foot with an open invitation in Comogos II! Although we were not able to preach about the gospel, through song and dance, we were able to minister to the children and their parents. What a joy it was just to experience how much excitement was brought to the kids with just the simplest gifts." ~ Chad Richards

Nothing better than sharing a mission trip with more than one generation and family.

"I really couldn’t have asked for a better team and a more wonderful Venezuelan family to stay with.  I’ve gotten so close to the family here.  They’re just the type of family that you can’t help smiling around.  One of the running jokes on me that the team has is that if I ever get mad to run the other way because I’m always smiling.  I can’t help it though because of how much God has blessed me with my team.  The other joke is Pastor Chris’s dance moves to “Call Me Maybe” or “Love You Like a Love Song”.  Actually it’s the whole team-- we’re quite the dancers.  Our translator, Henry, likes to get in there too with his moves. We miss all of you and love you very much, but we also aren’t looking forward to saying goodbye." ~  Brittany White

Pastor Chris in action!

"God is absolutely amazing. We have felt His presence every day. In every direction we have gone we have felt Him. The unity of the team and the dynamics of the team are beyond measure. There are so many talents to draw from and you can see God in everyone’s life. To my worship team back at home: you ought to see it here—the worship is amazing. To all who supported us, just to let you know, great is your treasure in heaven and the seeds that you’ve sown here will be seen for generations to come. Thank you, miss you all and love you all!" ~ Gdaddy (Greg Richards) 

Day 4- "One of our fabulous cooks cut the palm of her hand rather deep while cutting up the goat they were preparing for us. We cleaned and bandaged her hand and then later on in the day, I repeated the process. Unfortunately, she still ended up at a private hospital late that evening having three stitches. Glad to report that she is doing better (two days later). We are changing her bandage daily."

Day 5- "Melissa and I got the girls “new” play area painted that was once a chicken coup! The excitement they have shown is amazing. Just think about your children having their play area in a concrete chicken coup! The areas the children play in, we wouldn’t let ours even walk in them, yet they are fine. No cuts, broken bones or bruises! Amazing, isn’t it? With that being said some of you reading this blog may remember hearing of the nightly visits of the bat flying circles through the church at the same time each night. Well, it’s back. Not only is he back flying circles but he is sleeping in the church sanctuary! It was sleeping on a 2x8 laying on the floor last night! Today (day six) he is hanging on the conduit by the floor asleep! Lots of activity going on and it’s sleeping! Things that we see and how we live here are so different than back home. See everyone soon!" ~ Muriel Pawlik

Girls play house soon . . . in a pressure-washed chicken coup that has been painted.

Here's the bat . . . he's still sleeping even with all the activity going on.

"Today is our third day working in a bathroom ripping up tile from the cement. The tile is held on by a crazy super adhesive cement (I tell you the truth). This bathroom is the bathroom that the pastors share. There is a leak in the plumbing underneath and they have been smelling a sewage smell for three straight months. We hope to get it all ripped up before the end of the day, so they can get it fixed. I am hot, exhausted and the room stinks. There is absolutely no glory in this work, but isn’t that the point? We would all love to do the job that everyone gets to see and everyone gives you the praise for, but it’s work like this that God has called us to do-- work that is unseen and only receives credit from Jesus.  That is why everyone should go on a mission trip." ~ Roger Lee

Pastor's bathroom

"Let’s talk a little about the enemy coming against our team and how we battled that: Individual health, discouragement and frustrations are all tactics the enemy is using while we are here. One of our team member’s father has passed away, yet their family was pleased because they knew that he had a strong relationship with God. Wife of another team member had to have surgery, and we came together in prayer and support for him… another wife had some testing done also. These attacks were personal and at times against families—trying to interrupt the work that is being done here and in our hearts. Both physical and spiritual battles have been won by Jesus, daily. One of the best things our team did prior to the attacks of the enemy was taking a trip to the mountain top. It was a source of strength for us. It was a clear message to the enemy that we’re here and God is in control. To be able to look over Pavia from the top of the mountain – joining in on the battle with those already here in Venezuela - we got a sense of place and just where we are. I miss you Diane." ~Larry Baldwin

"One thing that has stuck out to me this week are the words “Living Pentecost."  Pastor Chris has said it plenty of times and as I think about what exactly that means, I realize what it means to live Pentecost and to truly follow where God leads on a daily basis. It is ah-maze-ing. Just, WOW. (I can say it backwards… wow. Thanks Meagan and Chad!) I learned something from Pastor Harrison one night, he said “muy rico” as I was drinking my water. I asked Isaiah later the exact meaning of it and he said it means “very rich." Really the saying is “yummy”… but I know I am rich… and God is good. Thank you all for  your prayers and all the things you have done to bring us together as a team—financially, as well as, spiritually. I cannot say thank you enough. I can never say thank you to God enough either. This Jesus we serve is universal y’all… it’s bigger than your church or hometown… let Him lead you where He will take you. I promise He will provide if He directs you." ~ Brittany Maples

"It is amazing to see how God works through Pavia. These are people who we consider to have little but in reality they have so much. The intensity of these people’s love for Christ is what helps me get through each day. They have a burning desire to bring their neighbors to Christ. I have never met people so friendly, humble, respectful, and loving in my life. While we are here ministering to these people and helping them, I can honestly stand here and say that we need to keep an eye on Venezuela. They’re going to be the ones going to the US to minister to people. God’s love for these people may not be seen immediately, but just a smile and an “hola” can change so much. A willing heart to learn from these people and coming beside them has been an amazing journey." ~ Andrea Ashie

Taking a break . . . painting is hard work!

We were able to tour the Bible college here in Venezuela.

It is a beautiful campus!

It was exciting to see and hear about all the future plans!

For the whole team, I can honestly say these days have been too short for us and God is really amazing. Thank you all for your prayers and support. Keep praying for us, and we’ll keep you updated. May God bless you as you continue to walk in Christ. 

THE VENEZUELA TEAM