Buenas Tardes!

We had a wonderful worship experience this morning. We were welcomed with open arms, hugs, handshakes and smiles. There were many happy reunions for those who have been here before on trips. We sang in Spanish, and Terry Lofton led singing in English for those of us who only know that language. He, of course, implored us to sing out and not leave him hanging since he was the one standing alone in the front of the audience. The congregation had prepared a song for us which they sang in Spanish and English. It involved shaking hands and hugging during the song. Hugo Rivera, the minister, delivered a great lesson this morning and Gary Hall from Baxter translated it for us. Hugo and his wife Velasqua (sp?) have a two-year-old sone named Sanders and are expecting a little girl in a few months.

At the end of our assembly, members were called by name and given instructions to go in pairs and take one of us with them to canvas aq six block radius around the church building giving out Bibles and invitations to the gospel meeting this week, as well as the medical clinic. So, we hit the streets. Jonas explained that while there were 400 people at the assembly we attended last night, there were only 23 visitors. He said that even though this congregation is much smaller, we will have MANY more vistors to minister to in the next few days. Afterward, we came back to the building for water and shade, and another young man was baptized. Praise God!

We went to the local mall for lunch. There was a food court with some familiar restaurants and some not-so-familiar ones. Burger King and Subway got a pretty good bit of business from us today and many opted for ice cream fo dessert. Who could blame us when we're wearing church clothes in Taylor Christian Camp heat? The fact that two scoops of ice cream in a waffle bowl was less than $1.00? We were able to hang out at the mall for about an hour while we waited for Jonas to come back. During this time, many of us were able to make phone calls from a store of phone booths. A 10-minute call was about $1.50. This is super cheap!

After we left the mall, we drove to a historic part of downtown Managua where the presidential home is located, as well as a beautiful old Catholic cathedral. The cathedral hasn't been used since it sustained damage in the 1972 earthquake. There were children at the historic area willing to sell you flowers and other shapes they make from reeds while you are there.

Our pharmacists are setting up their drugs this afternoon, while the rest of us hang out at the hotel fo a little rest. This evening, we will return to the church for worship at 6:00.