Ladies received their bags as they shared among each other and their enthusiasm was comical. Carol and Maida had trouble a couple of times bringing them back together. I believe one of those times I might had been responsible. We were just having good ole fashion Christian fun!!!! Who says being a Christian is not fun. There was way too much fun taking place on the front porch of this home . Thank you God for godly women who speak two different languages but serve the same God.
There came with the 25 ladies children. So quickly Katie took the children over behind where the Bible Conference was taking place on the porch. She placed flat sheets on the concrete floor for the children to sit on and color pictures and Katie shared a bible story with them as well. As the morning progressed Katie then resorted to bubbles for the children. God had blessed us with their bubbles and bubbles our daughter had donated a while back. God's provision exactly when they needed it. Thank you Katie for providing the children some structure activities so their mothers and grandmothers could enjoy a few minutes without family responsbiltiy.
Let the activities begin. First Carol shared with the ladies how special each of them were in the eyes of God. Each lady was handed a mirror and were asked to look at themselves to see how beautiful they are in the sight of God. Of course the ladies felt ackward doing this activity. Eventually they smiled and laughed as they admired themselves in the mirrors.
The next event was talking about the Virtious Woman out of Proverbs 31. Each lady works very hard daily for their families. They gather the wood for cooking. They make the tortillas daily. They wash their laundry either on a pilla or down by the river on rocks. They are contiously working all day to provide the physical needs for their families. So Carol gave each lady a tube of hand lotion. They were asked to get a partner and take turns giving each other a massage. Well one lady got carried away and massaged the lady's arms then proceeded to rub down her face. It was a joy to watch the ladies treating each other special. Some shared they had never had this done to them before. They definitely felt special after this activity.
The highlight of the morning was when the ladies received their homemade aprons. The ladies of Salemburg Baptist Church made each lady an apron. They were trying them on and exchanging if one did not fit or they wanted a different color. They were modeling their new aprons with a joyful spirit of appreciation. Carol used the scripture from Ephesisans 6 about putting on your armor of God. The apron will represent their breastplate of righteousness. Even though there is not a breastplate they will be protected by God through their daily activities for their families. The ladies in Honduras all wear aprons on a daily basis if they are working around their home or going to the market. The next day as the ladies were making tortillas and lunch they were sporting their new aprons with pride. Thank you ladies of Salemburg Baptist Church for making these ladies feel special.
As the morning was coming to a close, Carol allowed the ladies to make a craft. The laughter and fellowship continued as the ladies worked diligently on their special project. It would be a place to keep their bible verse cards so they could easily see and use them as needed. They took much pride in their project and walked away with a job well done. Carlos' wife was heading home passing by the mango trees where I was sitting. I asked her could I see her craft and she gladly shared what she had created just a few minutes earlier. Now she was heading back home to get started on her daily activities.
Thank you Carol for bringing these ladies such joy. Also thank you to Katie who played with the children, Lyndia, Sarah, Anna and Laura who assisted Carol in the hand-outs and making the craft. A big thank you to Maida, our translator, who without her none of this would have happened.
First and foremost let's give all praise and honor to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who provides all we need all the time.
Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character
10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
