This weekend, Levi, the Pan de Vida youth group, had our weekly meeting in the nearby town of Balvanera.  In our series on ”Being light to the World,” this week we talked about reflecting the light of Jesus specifically in the work area. 

To make the lesson more practical for the youth, we divided them into groups of 4, gave them $3, and sent them out to do shopping in the stores in Balvanera with a specific shopping list.  In each shop, they had to not only consider how they could show the light of Jesus in the store, but also take note of the attitude of the store workers.  Afterwards, (besides eating the snacks they bought J) we discussed their experiences. 

The result was great!  The kids were very analytical, and made some good observations of what some store workers did that really seemed to add light to their day, and what others did that did not.  They could infer from this experience what their responsibility as Christians, the bringers of true light to the world, is in the workplace, with their attitude and actions.

After the activity, Kike gave a biblical message to all the kids (seated out on the basketball court of Balvanera) on more specifics of behaving as servants of Jesus in the work place, and difficult situations that they could face as Christians.    

We continue to pray that the Lord will form these youth to be a light for Him in every area of their life!

Pan de Vida will have a new sewage system!!  What a blessing- it has been a definite prayer request in the past year.

Our old sewage system was filled to the max, due in part to the increased number of Pan de Vida inhabitants in the past couple years.  In fact, all the sewage was draining into a big open hole behind the boys dorm.  (Disgusting, right?)  It smelled horrible (and on warm, windy days the smell fills Pan de Vida), and was also dangerous.  A four-year- old boy visiting Pan de Vida with his family actually fell in about 6 months ago! :0 (Though he was saved without harm)  Only by God's protection and grace have Pan de Vida not fallen in.

You can imagine how excited we all are that a volunteer team from Waterloo, Canada, donated the funds to build a new system!  The new sewage system is much more modern and ecological, because it will filter the sewage to be used to irrigate the green areas of Pan de Vida.  The "used" water will be reused and not wasted to make Pan de Vida more beautiful and pleasing for kids and visitors.  (It is a blessing because the kids' football area does not consistently have grass).

The sewage contruction team has been working this past month to put in the new drain and set up irrigation valves around the football field.     

Pan de Vida Church hosted another women’s breakfast yesterday, with the purpose of not only uniting the current female members of the congregation in fellowship, but also to evangelize to other women outside of the church that we invited to the event.  Though many of the women we invited did not arrive, we were excited that three new ladies did attend, and that we could get to know them.  

Elia initiated the breakfast with a Biblical message on how God views us- a very appropriate message for women who oftentimes devalue their beauty, work and importance and easily feel down on themselves, to remember that the God of the universe created them exactly as they are.  Then we had a time of sharing needs and prayer requests for difficult situations in each of their lives.  One of the visiting ladies was especially overcome with depression and we prayed for her specifically and reminded her of God’s love and control in her life.  We hope to remain in close contact with her to support her as we can.

Then we had a time of fellowship and breakfast.  Each lady had brought a plate of food to share with all.  I got to know many of the ladies better, even those that I see every day here at Pan de Vida.  Praise the Lord for this group- may He continue to guide us.