---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Gene Hundley <gene.hundley@mwv.com>
Date: Sun, Jul 5, 2009 at 10:34 PM
Subject: Curacao Update
To: darien.gabriel@alumni.clemson.
It was a rainy arrival in Curacao on Friday night. It was noisy one too. There were several from VBS and the full drum unit was there. When they cranked it up, everyone in the airport took notice!
All were into the houses and ready for lights out by 11:30 that night.
Saturday was shopping and beach day. At least that was the plan. We got into Punda (downtown) at 9:30 and left at 11:30. There were frequent rain showers all morning, but none hit us again until late that night. When we left Punda, we went to the beach at Porto Mari. Shortly after arrival, we got a call that Emma had realized the preparation work for VBS needed some quick help to make sure all was ready in time. 1/2 of the group volunteered to head back and the others stayed at the beach. While our group was only there for 3 hours that afternoon, several key things got completed and only a few tasks remained for Sunday afternoon.
Saturday night, the Summerville Team (always includes Nan Wright) met up with the team led by Allan Murphy of North Shelby Baptist Church in Birmingham, AL. The agenda was dinner and Caroline had set us up at Maracas Restaurant which sits on a hillside looking across the Saint Anna Bai (bay), which is the channel that connects the ocean to the protected harbor in Willemstad. The location was perfect for a view of the Punda section of downtown we had visited in the morning. It would have been a great view if that Venezuelan frigate had not shown up and moored right beside our location. The food was great, the company was delightful and the devotional provided by Archie was a timely reminder that every person is a joy of God and precious to him. It was the perfect reminder of why we reach out in our communities and around the world as we planned our Sunday worship and prepared ourselves for the week to come.
There was another important thing we learned from Cesar Saturday afternoon and that was he would appreciate it if our team could use our two vans to pick up children before the start of VBS. Our answer was YES and it just means we shift our schedule a bit. Where our original plan was to be at Fuik shortly before 8 each morning, now we will be there a bit before 7.
Sunday was a starting time similar to what we observe at the Senior Center. Gene went with Allan Murpy (he preached in Papiamentu) and two others from North Shelby to a baptist church. Laurel, Josh, Jeremy and Nathan went with others from North Shelby to a baptist church where Archie preached in Spanish. The rest of the Summerville Team attended Abundante Gracia where Cali preached (Papiamentu) and Caroline Von Romondt arranged translation for those. All three groups met at Pizza Hut and finished up with observations on each of the services. The Summerville Team went straight to Fuik after lunch and helped with final preparations. The North Shelby Team arrived for the parade at 4pm. (all times are approximate in Curacao.....like it or not)
The drum core made the most noise, but all the walkers were busy handing out flyers, balloons and candy as the procession made its way around for 45 minutes.
After parade there was music and a service led by Cali at the Eman's on the ball court and there were a few more preparations ongoing during that time as well. Actually, two of our team (both named Josh) were recruited by Caroline to help with cooking and our supper was hamburgers and hot dogs at Caroline's house. We brought some home for the North Shelby Team that had gone to an evening service at a nearby church and they just stopped by our house about 9:30pm to pick up what we had for them. Our house has grown quiet as all have decided it is wise to get some sleep before the 5:30 wake up arrives.
Please pray for VBS at Fuik. There are many children eager to attend and open to God's love. We remind ourselves we are here to support those who love Jesus and we look forward to being whatever the situation demands so all can come to accept him.
Goodnight.
gene
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