Monday and Tuesday were days spent in the areas of Pajita and El Factor.  We registered existing students and brand new students to our scholarship program.  It was two days filled with excitement, and joy covered the faces of the children.  The students were given uniforms, shoes, school supplies, and backpacks.  But, the greatest gift they received was the opportunity to go to school.  We know that in many places in the world children think its a chore to have to go to school.  Here they consider it a privilege.  Thank you to all who have given to the scholarship program, you have blessed the life of a child.

This past week Pastor Bill Gravell from Texas, a good friend of all of us, visited us.  He shared at the Bible Institute and taught at a pastor’s seminar, as well as at a number of our local churches.  One of his themes for the week was TRUST IN GOD, taken from Proverbs 3:5-6.  It was a powerful reminder to all of us to trust in God with all of our hearts every day. It also contains a wonderful promise that God will make our paths straight as we trust in Him.  It was encouraging to see so many respond to this message. Please continue to pray for the pastors and the churches they represent as they daily live out this simple, but powerful truth.  

Have you ever looked forward to going somewhere or meeting someone with high expectations? But after going or meeting that person you were more impressed than you expected? Now, I know this doesn’t happen that often in life, usually it is the opposite. Well, that is what happened to us here at EDM. We had been praying and planning for ELITE 2009 for over a year with high expectations.  When we got to work with the young people that were a part of ELITE 09, we were so impressed. We were blessed to have this group of young people here this summer. We can honestly say they were the Cream of the Crop, and they are ELITE in every way! Not only did they do everything required of them, but they exceeded our expectations. They went above and beyond in every task and challenge.  What impacted our lives the most, though, as we watched these teens, was their heart for Christ. It showed in everything they did! We know God has BIG things in store for each of them as they chase after HIM!!