Group Meeting

Monday morning we had a group meeting where we worked through what God is doing in us. We met as small groups and we prayed for each other to receive what we believe that God has for us this week. It was hard work, and good work, to be open to each other talk deeply about what God is doing in our hearts. There is something about praying and bonding with each other in pursuing God's best for our lives!

After lunch, it was time for an errand. On Saturday, if you have been following along, we cleaned up an area outside the city, I needed to have a way to get those pictures from Steve and onto my iPad. So to the mall we went. We took the bus and it was a very hot day. On top of that the bus was very full. The best way for most that live here to get around is to buy a motorcycle. They are cheaper and they get better gas mileage. Cars keep their value here. A car sold used in the States for $4000 would be $6000 here.

The mall was an open air mall and very pretty. It was hot so we asked if we could find a iced drink. That's when we saw the Juan Valdez kiosk. These are like Starbucks in their popularity. They are also very prevalent. While we were waiting, an armed security guard came by Guess to do a bank pickup. So of course there had to be a picture. Sawed off shotguns aren't displayed that openly in the States.

We found the store that we were looking for and got the accessory that I needed. Since my keyboard for writing these blogs died a sudden death the previous night (apparently gravity works in Cali the same as the US), we also went to a store kind of a cross between Walmart and Target. But we didn't find what I needed, and it was time to get back for the a portion of 12 Hours of Prayer. So into taxis and then home.

One cultural thing: many, many stoplights have venders that walk between the cars and sell things like gum, drinks, fruit, ice cream and, well, just about anything. One time we got a stoplight and the vender walked by and put some gum on the windshield. If you take it, then when he or she comes back by, you pay. That's right! The windshield is now a marketing display. Pretty smart, huh?

Not all of us went. Some of us stayed back and did various things, like calling family, helping clean the home and resting a bit.

Twelve hours of prayer is done three times a week. 4 am to 12 pm and 3 pm to 7 pm. Every two hours they repeat the same structure with specific church needs. These days cover the times when there are not church functions, like Wednesday night groups for example.

After the prayer time, we had dinner and then met with Pastor's group of disciples and Pastor's wife's group for a group leadership meeting. They are having an impact event on Saturday and a leadership meeting was done instead of meeting as discipleship groups which is normally done. They went over the event from each person that has a responsibility, which consists of about 1/4 of the team. Every event to reach the community has a high level of planning.

We think that we like to have food? Well, this culture is more so. Every time we have had a meeting food has been involved. This meeting was the same. We had empanadas and juice.

After the meeting, we went back to the house, talked and decompressed. Tomorrow would be another filled day and would hold some surprises for us. We are excited what God is doing with us and among us as a group!