So the team has been formed, we have grown from only 9 last year and now have 16. Our leader from last year, Francisco, is returning. Also returning this year is myself, Laurel, and mother-daughter group, Denise and Mallory. I'm excited that we have several others joining our group, and for some, have never been on missions before. Father-son groups are Ron and Ryan, Chris and Casey, and Mike and Mikey. I guess you know whose who if you know their names! :) Then we have a family of five going this year, the Robinsons... Ben, Amy, Hannah, Sam and "Bitty" or Elizabeth. I joke that Ben is the dad of half of our group!
We have been meeting now for several weeks and have begun planning out our adventure in Barquisimeto at "Proyecto Jonas". For those of you who don't know what "Proyecto Jonas" or Jonas Project is... it is a home for boys that is run by Las Buenas Nuevas del Este, a church in Barquisimeto, Venezuela. The boys that come to Jonas typically are coming in straight off of the streets and are usually involved with some type of gang related activity or drugs or both. The most shocking thing for me last year was the age of the boys that are there. The youngest was only 9 years old! Can you imagine a 9 year old living on the streets and doing drugs here!? We are so blessed here with all different types of organizations and loving families that take care of "troubled" children.
With that being said, that is our mission. We are going to support the supporters and love on these boys that have had to grow up way too fast. We have different games planned for the week and each of us is responsible for some type of religious activity for the boys. Even with all of the nerves, I can't help but think of the wonderful smiles we are going to share with the boys of Proyecto Jonas. I know God has a plan for all of us going and I can't wait to sit back and watch Him show His glory.
Thank you all for the prayers and support of my mission! You ALL are great and words can never describe how much I appreciate you.
Keep checking in, I plan to update as much as possible...
God Bless,
~Shane
