We Made It!

We are here in Venezuela.  We left relatively late Friday evening and arrived in Caracas really late Friday night.  After customs and hotel check in there was little time for sleep.  We were up and out before dawn for the short flight to Barquisimeto.  We stopped for breakfast before checking into the hotel with several of the staff members of the Jonas Project, since it took several of them to drive all of us and our luggage from the airport to Hotel Tiffany.  We got settled into our accommodations and prepared ourselves for the drive to the farm.  The farm or la granja is what we will be working on this week.  It is a beautiful building and grounds that the government has given to Project Jonas as long as they can keep it well maintained.  It needs LOTS of work.

Once we arrived we had a large meet and greet.  Each of the boys in this program and several of the staff members presented each of us with a gift basket.  It was a great way to get to know one another and we love our goodies.  We all are especially thankful for the handful of interpreters who make getting to know each other possible.  We had a delicious lunch with the boys and then ventured around the grounds to pick our projects.  We are breaking into several teams and will be doing painting, plumbing, extreme landscaping, electrical work, and masonry.

We also took time at the end of the day to play games and swim with the boys.  It was a great way to bond with them and learn more about the personality unique to each of them.  These young men are the real reason we are here and we pray we reflect God's unconditional love to them.  Many, we have been told, have had tough lives and this program is an answer to their prayers.  We already have fallen in love with them and hopefully over the week we can share a little about each of them so you will fall for them too.  Please pray for them and their growth in the program and in Christ.

A third of our group was kind enough to forfeit their dinner and do some shopping for supplies so we will be ready to get started after church tomorrow.  The rest of us had dinner here at the hotel and couldn't quit talking about the blessings we have already received.  We are so grateful to be able to serve God and Project Jonas.  Once we were all back together in our nightly meeting it continued.  I wish you all could be here to share in this moment but hopefully this blog will give you a glimpse into some of our joy!

 Our team packed and ready to go at the Atlanta Airport.

 The Aeropuerto in Barquisimeto.

 Mindy & Deivis at the meet and greet with the gift basket we each received.

 David (aka Stumble) & Rickey assessing the electrical issues.

 Pool playtime.

Buff, Emily, Kim, & Dawn with Counselor/Comedian Johnny on staff at the farm.