Touring

Today we toured, as Nick mentioned.  It was an eye-opener to see the places that we have heard about at Elevate.  Got to see the neighborhood where our church sponsored a house a few years ago.  We've also heard about the orphanage they have there.  They have 2 houses, each will hold 8 children.  Currently they are caring for 6 orphans.   They hope to have over 50 orphans eventually.  Cost is prohibitive at this point, but as I spoke to Frank (one of the church leaders) about it, he explained that they watch for where God is working and use the opportunities as they arise.  I am sure that God will lead more children there.  Frank did say that there is a 93 year old Grandmother  who is taking care of six children....unfortunately, they may need help sometime soon.

At Casa Hogar Vida, a village designed to assist the poorest of the poor and people affected and infected by HIV, they are striving to be self-sufficient.  They have a brick factory, a tortilla factory, women make and sell jewelry and purses and they grow corn.  They plan to continue improving the farming efforts. They also replant trees to keep renewing their resources. Many trees are cut for firewood for cooking to save the expense of gas, but few replant.  The man in charge (Oscar) of many of the operations of 'Casa' has great vision for the self-sufficiency of the community.
There are 39 homes there (some in progress) and they have 400 applications for families that would like to move in.  They are charged a nominal fee for the homes, very affordable, but enough to give the people a sense of pride and ownership.  After they pay for 10 years, the home becomes theirs. The total cost being much less than they would have paid otherwise.
It's really difficult to sum up everything we are seeing here.  But, what I am learning, is that the church here is truly the hands and feet of God.  We have come to serve, but are learning so much about how to serve when we return.  I was not sure how to process the expense of a mission trip...it is very costly.  But, I am beginning to see that the price will be multiplied when we return...if we learn and grow as we should.