La Bandera y hablando

It was a fairly normal week here in Casa Vaqueras. Constant changes and putting out fires aside, we worked on a really fun project! Last week in his sermon, Alex laid forth the theme for the year 2008 in this church. To be witnesses of Jesus Christ to the nations, taking from his departing words to the disciples before he was taken up to Heaven. Luke 24. So Alex gave us creative freedom to do it however we wanted, but he wanted those words put up in front of the church. Paint? Posterboard? We ended up with the idea of a cloth banner. Maribel and I worked with a little of professional advisement from Lina and after three days we had this:




Diane Lippitt is my inspiration. =)

Also this week, I colored pictures with Beatriz who is a fledgling artist who either wants to be a missionary or an architect. Or both! I'm enjoying getting to know her better and we spend a lot of time talking about how terribly frightening the future is. Except the difference between Beatriz and myself is that in her 15 years she has a lot of fear and anxiety thinking about the future and the decisions she has before her. She walks around with a melancholy look complaining that she has too much on her mind. Those dramatic teenagers! And me...in my all of 27 years, I see the future as a huge and wonderful possibility that brings nothing but excitement and peace. So I look at her with a sparkle in my eye and tell her that God will continue to be good no matter where she finds herself.

I also went with Maribel to register two of the new immigrants who arrived from Brazil. They've been here a couple of months and have decided to stay. They have to stay and work for three years before they can be legal residents. So in order to register, they go down to the local office to enter the paperwork. I went to observe and see. It was surprisingly easy. The lady at the desk just took all the papers and checked their passports. Then she printed off the official document that says they registered on this date and therefore in three years they can be eligible for residency. It was an important step, but that means the next three years will be hard. They need to find good jobs and keep themselves out of trouble. We also learned that Rosanna has four children back in Brazil! So she won't be able to return or see them until after the three years. Que dificil!