The team left Puerto Ayora late this morning for Guayaquil - and then on to climates so cold that even Favre's beard freezes. The bricklayers did far more than planned, and yet they stared longingly at the stacks of blocks that remain, wishing they had more time to raise walls.
Sabbath church was another combined service with graduation music from the VBS children, and from the Loma Linda school choir. Even more people were in attendance this week since all of the Loma Linda school and VBS parents had received personal invitations.
This has been an excellent project, and we leave the jobs to the crew that arrives Thursday afternoon, certain that their experiences here will be at least as great as ours have been.
The largest Adventist gathering EVER in the Galapagos. More than 270 people in attendance.
It rained Friday night, leaving reflecting pools in what will become classrooms for 4, 5, and 6-year-olds
The VBS choir, though too young to march in the infantry, were a highlight of the church service.
Two of the Loma Linda students - Amy and Hillary - in the new school.
A portion of the wall-building crew - who managed to complete the wall on more than half of the property.
Sabbath afternoon we took three buses on a four-wheel-drive road over the mountains to Garrapatera beach where Chris and Josie (Chris is in the center in the red shirt and Josie is standing tall in her swimsuit) were baptized to affirm their decision to make Jesus Christ LORD of their lives. It's hard to imagine a more ideal and memorable location for a baptism!
Friday was a "free" day and the team scattered to beaches and shops. A group of hardy sailers took a speedboat 3+ hours to Punta Pinta on the Island of San Cristobal - to see red-footed Boobies. We saw them from a rocking distance, and then joined scores of turtles on the beach.
Sabbath we worshipped with both of the Santa Cruz churches - and the result was the largest gathering of Seventh-day Adventists ever held in the Galapagos Islands. More than 250 people came to the new school auditorium and celebrated with singing, prayers, Scripture, and fellowship. It was a "High Sabbath."
It’s Friday evening and we have just completed a “Welcome Sabbath” worship with the entire Maranatha volunteer team. The Director of Education and Culture for the island of Santa Cruz joined us and thanked us for helping change the culture of the island by modeling how to put God at the center of life. He, and Esmeralda, principal of our Loma Linda school on the island, were both eloquent in their appreciation.
Though we’ve enjoyed three nights and four days touring the Galapagos Islands, it is good to be at work! Today has been a day of laying blocks, preparing for VBS, visiting the Catholic school where we’re holding a dental clinic, and buying out the shops.
Our list of “discovered” beasts we’ve met is far longer than you would want to read, but here are a few photos of Boobies, Dragons, Frigatas, and Lions. And some humans, all of whom are well, but hoping their muscles will respond tomorrow.Galapagos
Happy Sabbath.
Volunteers are starting to arrive in Guayaquil. Three more flights arrive tonight with the bulk of the group. Many will have a short night before we board a flight from Guayaquil to Galapagos. Over 100 people will be the second group to help construct a new elementary school on Galapagos.
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