Days 8-9: Nono

        With our last farewells to the students behind us, we woke up early on Saturday morning to go up to the top of the building for the sunrise.  As we stepped out on the top floor, we heard dogs barking, roosters welcoming the morning, cars as they passed, and a continuation of the music from the all-night party down the street.  But instead of seeing the sunrise peeking up over the horizon, we were shrouded in clouds.  There was a thick layer of fog hindering any view of more than 30 feet.  Nevertheless, we gathered, sang, prayed, and welcomed in the day.  As we looked toward where we knew the sun was rising in the sky, we recognized the picture that the Lord was giving us of faith … believing in that which we cannot see. We knew for sure that the sun was there!  We could even see some of the signs of the morning – a soft lightening, the sounds around us, and ever so slowly a lifting of the fog.  But the sun was hidden completely from our view.  Sometimes in our walk, there are times that we must follow the Lord when we cannot completely see or feel his presence.  Even in these times, He is right beside us, guiding, leading, and even carrying us along the path.

I didn't get any photos during our morning foggy 
sunrise time, but here are a couple from an evening 
on the roof with the moon rising.

Nolan and Reilly were giving Pitty quite the scare by juggling 
the soccer ball on the roof. 

        After a couple of hours of early work on the mural (for a few of us), we had an amazing breakfast of waffles, fruit, and bacon (yum!!) and boarded the bus for Nono.  We visited the Wells home where Annie, Megan, and Will took a trail ride down the mountain.  The others rode horses in the ring, played with the rabbits, and took in the beautiful scenery.  

Nolan in the ring. 

Annie with one of the rabbits (and the beautiful
scenery in the background!)

First time for Davis on a horse!

Megan with Belle. 

Will ready for the trail.

Photo credit to Davis for taking this shot of 
a hummingbird in the wild.  

 

We were treated to a wonderful lunch in a little restaurant in “downtown” Nono, a small town of 800 or 1000 people, and we then arrived at Pitty’s family home near Nono to celebrate Matteo Zola’s graduation from high school (virtually) and Danny Zola’s birthday.  The students took a two hour hike up the mountain and enjoyed smores by the fire before dinner. It was a full day of activity (and for me rest as I took a long nap during the hiking and smores part of the day), fellowship, and celebration.  

Apparently the students developed characters for a possible movie script on their way up the mountain.  Here the students are posing "in character" on their hike. 

Celebrating Danny's 20th birthday!

Pancho giving Matteo an exhortation as we celebrated his
graduation from high school.

It is hard to express the experience we have enjoyed together through words and pictures.  There has been an outpouring of the Holy Spirit as we have served, fellowshipped, eaten our meals together, and gathered for prayer and devotional.  My hope is that these life changing experiences and this depth of knowing the Lord will carry these students forward with changed lives and with a new bond of brotherhood/sisterhood.