The local construction team is still working on the classrooms. We planned on fully building out 2 classrooms, but they decided to do four. Right now we are still in need of more funds to keep working. The church has expressed to us multiple times how encouraged they are by all the support they are getting. They are excited about investing in the next generation, bringing change that will last. This is a quote from one person " ESTAMOS MUY AGRADECIDOS CON DIOS QUE NOS ESTÁ CONECTANDO CON CORAZONES SENSIBLES POR LAS FUTURAS GENERACIONES."
They are commenting that they are grateful to God to be connected to sensitive hearts for future generations. It is encouraging to us as well to see their response as they work to serve the Lord in building a new school that will build up the whole community. This is something that they desire and is not an agenda or plan that outsiders put into place to try and change them. Pray that this momentum will continue with the school and that it bears a lot of fruit.
While we were there we met the new English teacher from the USA. She had just arrived so we talked a little about the island life and welcomed her to her new home. We were updated recently that she is having a hard time adapting to the cultural style of the island. Pray for her to adapt and feel at home, she is planning on being there long term.
The plastic filters are now being made, we have word that the first 50 are ready to be installed. We are waiting on logistics before they are shipped to us. We are partnering with the NGO to have five installed in Bocachica and five in Bogota to be used for field testing. These will be tested for a period of time to measure the quality of water produced by these new plastic bodies.
Even though we are not in Colombia to be able to host people at our house, another family from the church lives there. So it is a blessing to hear that they are able to use our house for hospitality in our absence. This past week a music band we know from Medellin was going to a concert in Cartagena. They came out to Bocachica to play in the church and they stayed at our house while on the island. They had made a song about Bocachica and made another music video on a previous mission trip. Click on the link if you want to see the song and our neighbors too! "If Your voice isn't there" They were making filters as well. These young people are good examples of using your talents to serve Christ.
The Ariel family is still at home busy in North Carolina. Juntos is now a 501c3 recognized mission. This will help us with taxes and keep everything organized. So if you want to support a project you can send the money directly to Ariel Missions/Juntos. We still can receive funds through Antioch Community Church, if you send money there make sure to write in the memo what the money is intended for.
The address for us is
Ariel missions/ Juntos
3706 Union Ridge Road
Burlington, NC 27217
This season we celebrate our salvation:
"Your Lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year... And they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel. Now the blood shall be a sign on the house where you are. And when I see the blood, I shall pass over; and the plague shall not...destroy you."
So God gives atonement. "For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for your soul.
John the Baptist sees Jesus and exclaims, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"
" So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many," and "this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God."
We are thankful for His salvation and we are thankful for the work He has given us. Thank you, too, for the support and partnering in this work. Hope you all had a great Easter!
