Day 4 - May 9

Today we headed up to the Maranatha Center, an official Teen Challenge center, situated about 15 minutes away (by car). The Maranatha Center offers a yearlong program for men to sober up from drugs and meet the Lord. All of the men are there by choice. We were taken on a tour of the center. We saw everything, from the pastry kitchen, the sleeping quarters, the soccer fields, the work-in-progress (the new building), recycling center, gardening and poultry house! Oh, we even saw their home-made gym. Jason even did a few sit-ups to work off all the BBQ!! All of us agree with Jenny when she said, "But this drug place we went to was AMAZING! It's self sustaining for the most part -with the exception of the electricity. Everyone who lives there and is being `treated works. They have a farm and animals and a recycling place to make money. They also have a bakery and they sell the baked goods in the city three times a week to make money to build new buildings. It's pretty amazing!" Michael shared a devotional about integrity with the men of the Maranatha Center. The men were encouraged by Michael's word. Then it was back in the VW van.
Our next stop was a little community located down a dirt road, called Mundo Nuevo (New World). In this small community are about 40 people who regularly attend Sammy and Marcia's church in Bom Retrio. A small group meets every week in a small ohana. The Mayor has given an old school building to Sammy and Marcia to plant a church. However, right next to the school building is a Catholic Church, and although a priest only comes once every two months, they are very resistant to their presence. Yet, despite this persecution they are continuing to meet in their weekly small group and even make the trip every week to Bom Retrio.

Next we headed to the church! Michael taught the second part of his women's self-defense class. Jenny and I aided (possibly distracting at times...) Michael with the instruction. The women learned how to escape and defend themselves!

Afterwards a large group of young adults came over to Sammy and Marcia's house. It was awesome to see them print, cut and handout lots of flyers promoting the youth event scheduled the next night on Saturday! This group of young adults is definitely mobilized and taking leadership in the church!

What a challenge for me, and the rest of the young adults. Are we rising up and leading? Jesus said "come and follow me." If I am honest, to many times I let others carry the brunt of the ministry work... is this young adult generation learning from the older generation that are currently leading the church? Are both groups taking an interest in each other? Let the older generation teach and instruct the younger generation, not being afraid to give the young adults responsibility...let us, the young adults, be a generation the rises up and carries the message of Jesus to the Nations! "

"And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others" 2 Timothy 2:2

On behalf of the team,
Brittany Wurst