Thursday

Thursday morning we all rose and started our day. The ladies of the village were cleaning turkeys that we had all seen walking around the afternoon before. One was boiling the heads and another had a pot of feet that she was stewing. They were preparing for the celebration feast that was scheduled for 1:00 p.m. later that day. We were served animal cookies and then breakfast was beans and rice with corn tortillas with coffee and papaya juice. Ripe papaya has a an odor much like sour milk - very hard to drink if you smell of it beforehand.


RA’s luggage with a lot of instructional material that had gotten lost on flight was due to arrive in Palenque, so he, Justin and Martin Venegas (Brownwood) went into town to visit with another Brother who has small house church and pick up his bag. (We plan to minister at his church on Sunday night) The remaining team members worked with the children. The ones 10 and under Ceil Warden taught about the 7 days of creation along with Judy Presley and Cindy Morris who were in charge of the crafts. Sonny & Gracie Hatten with help from Brandon Hall played games with the children.

The teenagers and young adults came in for a Pre-test on the book of John and after instruction is done for the next few days, the same students with take a post test and their learning will be measured.

Many of the Mayan Indians in this area are celebrating Thanksgiving at this time for the crops that the Lord has provided and the calves and poultry that have grown up that will be slaughtered for food. Justin preached the first noon celebration service to a packed church. The ladies then served fried chicken along with fresh yucca (much like a potato) and some squash. Some ate fried turkey feet. The group that were scheduled to stay in Palenque prepared to load up to go into town. The Van only holds 7 people and along with all of luggage it was impossible for all 8 to ride in together. The ladies, Gracie Hatten, Judy Gaunt, and RA and Arlene Evans left with the luggage to take the trip back into Palenque to work with Bro. Jesus’ church. The men, Wilson Gaunt, Sonny Hatten, Martin Venegas and Tom Bowes waited to catch a shuttle which is a small s-10 pickup with sideboards on the back and rode in standing up in the back of the pickup. It was a rough, hot, bumpy ride for them. That is the main mode of transportation for the Puyipa village to travel in to Palenque. The Palenque team checked into the Hotel and got showers then attended a tent meeting at Bro. Jesus’ church. The so-called tent is a truck tarp (25 X 35) that has 3 old 2X10’s supporting its middle with edges tied to the large trees on one side and a house on the other. There were approximately 50 in attendance scattered under and around the tarp in stackable plastic chairs and we had 19 professions of faith as Martin Venagas brought the message. We brought a DVD player along with a projector and they hung up a white sheet for a screen and we played a portion of a video of the life of Christ. (we will play a portion each service until the video is complete) After the service, Bro. Jesus wanted us to go to his home and meet his wife and family. We had a short visit with her in which they invited us from breakfast on Saturday morning. By this time it was around 11:00 p.m. We made a quick trip around the town to get something cold to drink. (not a vending machine on every corner) and then retired for the night with great expectations for the next day.