Journal Entry from February 21, 2007

Today we took a ponga boat ride up the river to Kukra Hill! What an amazing experience today has been. First, we piled all 18 of us and Pastor Vital into "the church bus", which is actual a small pick-up truck! Once we were at the dock, we took the ponga boat up the river (my first ponga boat ride ever) to Kukra Hill. Once in Kukra, Pastor Vital took us to the Mayor's office. He wanted to deliver a letter requesting a plot of land in which to build a church. As all 18 of us entered the mayor's very small office along with Vital, we were privileged to not only meet the mayor, but to be able to speak with him and ask questions. And in our presence, the mayor signed the letter granting at least 1-1/2 to 3 acres for the purpose of building God's church in Kukra Hill. As we left the office, the mayor led us directly to the land. As we walked, I was in awe as to what had just happened. At the site of the future church, the mayor answered more questions for us. Afterwards, all of us including the mayor, Pastor Vital, Joel, and Francisco (both seminary students and future pastors) joined hands, forming a circle and prayed over the land and future church that God would build, as well as all the people who would come to know the Lord because of it. This experience is one that I will never forget.

After we left there, we headed for a palm oil manufacturing plant. We were on foot until a man offered to give us a ride in his "dump truck". At seeing how high up the dump truck was, the majority of us thought "no way!" However, Cara spoke right up and said we'd love to ride in the dump truck!! And so our adventure continued... We all managed to climb up the outside ladder and into the dump truck! Several of the ladies got to ride on the inside with the driver while the rest of us held on for dear life as we headed off to the plantation!

While at the plant, we got to wear hard hats and were taken on a tour to see how the palm oil was extracted and made. We were a little late getting back to the boat dock but luckily our boat was still there waiting for us!

Now, safely back in Bluefields, we've just finished our evening devotions. I'm sunburned and exhausted but I have so much joy and peace in my heart from today's exciting journey. Tomorrow, it's back to work. So much is still yet to be completed! So for now, I'll rest. --cs