It is Wednesday morning and I'm sitting here at Casa Wick (our home for the time here) looking through the windows at the front of the school area. The two busses have just arrived and the children are coming out. Some are in full uniform, others have just registered and their uniforms are on order. What a sight this all is today, and everyday. So many, many children and still coming! Just two years ago this building was a couple floors of blocks, concrete and quite a mess. It was hard to picture and believe that soon this would be a beautiful school, full of enthusiatic kids getting a Christian education! The sun is shining brightly as it has since we've been here. Its cool this morning but the afternoons are wonderful. I also see the mountains, puffy white clouds and our team working hard on building that wall that will be important to the security of this school.

Children also arrive with their parents by 'city' bus or car, holding their little hands tightly. Yesterday I watched a little one hold tightly to his daddy's legs as he was starting his first day of school. Tears and then hugs, they walked hand in hand towards the school - I could still hear him crying but he went. Somethings are global and that 'first day of school' is one of them!

Yesterday was a very tiring day for the team. We had to fight high winds and a very bright sun all day. Lloyd and Matt helped Nicolous and Juan work on the block wall, Anita helped bring blocks, keep the moist and even was shown how to mix up a batch of mortor. We had a good time watching Nicolous explain, in Spanish, the recipe for the mixture, what fun! Karl and Evert spent most of the day taking down an old barbwire fence and clean up the back lot-line of debris and trees. They even found an electric chainsaw to use which helped alot. So, Evert asked the block guys if they could use the electric cable, only to find that it was just wiring stuck into a power source! No matter, it works well and they were able to cut all the trees down. Hilda and Wilma moved alot of block and then helped clean up behind the fence line. Nellie, Ans and Rosario brought heavy large paving stones to a bunch of guys laying stones for a new bustop. Eventually, Hans used the tractor and wagon to bring the stones rather than the gals using wheelbarrows - but heavy handling it was! Michael was not feeling very well at all - running a fever and sever headache. He spent the day in and out of bed, surrounded by our prayers. He is much better today and back out and at it with the rest. Ed worked on putting locks in the school and making doors, varnishing and going to town to order wood and other supplies.

All team members would like to thank their families for the care packages that they received last night, we even saw a few tears! It meant alot to them to see pictures of their families, receive small tokens of love and feel that connection to home. The neat thing is that during devotions this morning, Lloyd and Anita make note that we are all connected by our faith and that when we see the sun during the day and the stars at night, we realize that you all see the same sun and stars! When we believe in God and recognize his Son, we share that with all of you as well and distance become much less of a factor.

Today we will continue working on the block wall and continue cleaning up the fence line. The block wall will continue around the back of the school later this week. They are also hoping to form up wood for the support columns, if not today then tomorrow. That will be heavy work as they must mix concrete and lift the pails up and over the walls to pour down the forms. Also, after lunch today we will be taking a side trip into the volcanic area to enjoy and experience the hot springs - a treat, for many of us are having trouble sleeping and have sore muscles due to work we are not used to! Tomorrow we will continue with the wall, cleaning up. Saturday we hope to work in the school as the children will not be there - painting, woodwork where needed, and some other indoor work.

Prayer requests: For Michael, that he will continue healing and make a full recovery, for better sleeps so that we can continue or day to day work, for travelling mercies as we head up into the mountains today, for the peace of Christ to rule our hearts. Often the next two days can be difficult as the adreneline rush from travelling winds down, everyday routine settles in and we begin to miss our families and home. God is good and we are experiencing communion of the saints in our small corner of the globe. Will keep in touch when I can as I have to use Hank Stronks laptop - he and his wife Rosario have been fabulous and caring to our group and we are so very thankful that they are here.....what a blessing they have been to us! Pray that they, too will continue to be strong as this is all new for them.

Blessings to you all. Thank you for your prayers and encouraging comments, they mean alot to us. Your support has been amazing....thanks be to God for all his goodness to us!