JEWELRY PROGRAM EXPANDS

Last week we welcomed a returning team from McKinney 1st Baptist Church in Texas for their 4th mission trip in 4 years. It is wonderful to connect with old friends and meet new ones too. The days were hot and grueling on the construction site and a few thunderstorms brewed causing the river to rise significantly one morning. A raised path enabled the motorcycles to cross the river but it was a dicey affair trying to cross it by bus due to the dredging of the silt on the river bottom. Our interpreter, David narrowly missed falling into the river while moving the rocks in place allowing us to safely cross it.It was necessary to unload the bus, cross the river by foot and re-board it on the other side. Thankfully the luggage could stay on board. Team leader, Lois Jacobs was instrumental in starting the paper jewelry program in villa Esperanza when she saw the great need of employment for women in the village. Since March 2009, 4 women and 1 man have been gainfully employed making the jewelry out of recycled product packaging. Sales have increased to the extent where it has become necessary to employ an additional 4 women in the program. Praise the Lord! We taught the women new skills and some new project ideas while also giving them the hope, encouragement and the certainty that they will be guaranteed a monthly salary with a quota of work to fulfill. Lois shared with the women how God has blessed her and has given her many opportunities to witness to the people who purchased the jewelry. Sharing God’s love has been her great passion and was demonstrated also by the rest of the team loving the children and people they encountered this week. On the final day, we visited the 27 waterfalls…a great team bonding experience. With 3 non swimmers in the group it was necessary to encourage and assist each other while trying our best to battle the force of the water climbing up the falls. Sliding down or jumping off the rocks was so much easier on the way down and we were proud to see some fears conquered.