Barnabas's from Bedford

Greetings!

Kristen here, just wanted to give you a little update on what’s going on for us interns.

Michelle and Jaclyn are winding down their stay here, but are not any less passionate or dedicated to their work. Finish strong! That’s what I always say. We’ll have four more girls joining us next week. Two from North Park University and two from New Hampshire (they’re associated with the church Bedford that was just here).

Matt and Elsa (the couple that arrived from Chicago about two months ago) just started a bible study and dinner night with us interns at their house. That’s been an amazing time of fellowship, learning and sharing struggles. What an answer to prayer!

Last week we had a team from Bedford Church (BCC) in New Hampshire. (Check out their blog if you want to read more about their experiences here).

We did a lot of things while they were here as far as visiting the orphanages, malnutrition center, going to a futbol game, up to the Cristo, doing a bread run to Sipe Sipe, visiting the Incan Ruins, visiting the center and doing some work projects there. It was a VERY busy week, but we loved it! I personally, and I think ALL of the interns, were incredibly encouraged by this team. They challenged us in our relationship with God, offered a new perspective to the ministry we are doing here which sometimes starts to feel…well, a little monotonous, and spoiled us. When they left they just encouraged us in what we were doing, challenged us to grow in our walks with God and even left some parting gifts (a new radio for the hacienda). We were floored!! This church that they come from has been a big supporter of the ministry here for years and plans to continue to be committed for the long haul. They're an inspiration to us all!

And while I know that the house parents, the kids, and the Timmers were all encouraged by this team, we interns were especially thankful for this team of Barnabas’s. ("Son of Encouragement". See Acts 4, 11-13).