VICTORY HIGHWAY TEAM –  Leaders: STEVE AND LISA CARACCI

Mat. 19:13-15 “Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. Jesus said, Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. When he had placed his hands on them he went on from there.”

PART 1

The Focus is serving the children in the Venezuela School. After Team #16 came in April we continued to move forward by hiring our welder to fabricate the steel trusses as you see in the top photo. There are 6 trusses all together. They were hoisted by hand and by our youth group. Everything was in place but the final welding and painting had to be done by our welder before the roofing could go on. This is where Team #17 led by Steve and Lisa Caracci from Victory Highway Wesleyan Church came into play. This team of 8 accomplished a ton of work in 10 days. We’re always impressed in how much can be accomplished and how money is saved in labor by the teams. While the team was waiting for the welder they had the job to prime and paint all the columns, the newly constructed wall, and the bathrooms on the back of the school that were never painted. Also while they were painting Steve and Tom went to work in installing plastic gutters on two very long buildings and as well as in front of the eaves where the new roof would connect into the Kitchen. This task required patience on their part because it meant moving over 73’ of water from two joining roofs. They are in the 3^rd photo. This was there first time installing gutters. In the mission field one has to be open to learn new things and to be ready to build or try anything.

PART 2

This roof is HUGE! You are looking at the finished product. This roof is a blessing for the Venezuela School. It is a dream come true for us, for Director Flores and for Director Melvis the main director of all the schools. They will be using this roof for graduation ceremonies, for School Plays, Activities, and for many other projects. The teachers said it has cooled down the classrooms and has kept the dust down as well. This roof will bless our Saturday Youth group program as well as our boys youth group because it will keep the rain off the court and us as players. Also the roof has lights so we can play soccer during Tues., Thurs., and Sat. night. During these nights is when our youth can witness to those who want to play soccer with us and are usually youth that come from the street looking to escape from drugs, alcohol, and parties. We know this roof is a win, win project. It is a first for our ministry in providing a roof over a soccer court. I think the team can be very proud of themselves in installing the roofing, cap, cyclone mesh, and lighting in just 3 ½ days. That is very impressive. You have to remember these brothers and sisters are not carpenters or have skills in this kind of commercial construction. So it shows that anybody can come down and have the right attitude in learning a new trade and being able to serve the children from the Barrio Rincon and the Venezuela School. I think of how many children will be blessed for years to come.

PART 3

One tradition that alway seems to carry over every year is the sewing or craft classes that the teams host in the afternoon. A lot of building goes on but a lot of ministering through craft projects goes on as well. Team #17 taught these ladies in how to make paper flowers as seen in the top photo. Also they taught the ladies how to make greeting cards as seen in the last two photos. I know this time is very special for the ladies who come on team but I think it is more special for the ladies who receive these classes. I know when the Barrio hears that a team is coming they always ask us during our Saturday tailoring class, “Is there going to be any classes given by our North American friends?” You can see the joy in the parents and in the children in these photos. Many of these women come from homes that have abuse in some sort of way. They also come beaten and down from life’s struggles and trials. This is a form of escape, and renewal for the women. We know they are very thankful because they throw a party for the ladies by thanking them for their generosity in coming and teaching them these new projects. In the scripture it says that Jesus took the children and blessed them. We too are doing the same in His name. We are taking the children no matter how old or young and we are blessing them. We can’t deny their right to learn or escape life for a moment.

PART 4

Our Saturday youth group always benefits with teams. It actually helps us to be able to play with so many children and give them the attention they deserve and need. This team had some neat ideas in playing with the children. They wanted to face paint the small kids with butterflies, rainbows, and many other insects and designs. Some of the children had their entire face painted to be cat or lion. Kids loved it so much that I found my older boys in line getting their faces painted. I laughed and said, “Oh boy you guys have reverted to your child years. They smiled and said why they should have all the fun. Another neat aspect that the team brought was to do a fluoride treatment on all the kids that come. We had them, “three amigos” (Doc. Tom, wife Vicki and Colleen) to work with the older children first because they have all their adult teeth while the younger kids still were going through losing their teeth or waiting for new ones to grow in. I was surprised to see the kids so willing to sit and go through the process. What a blessing for our youth!

PART 5

Steve our team leader was invited to give a message at Pastor Giron’s Church. With every team we like to immerse the team into culture and especially with the church service. It is a great time to hear songs and scripture in Spanish. Many may say well it must be difficult to connect and understand since it is in Spanish and the majority doesn’t understand. Well some of our team members will testify that the Lord does come upon those who have a heart hungry and ready for the Lord. An anointing came upon us in the back row and I found some who were singing in Spanish with us. The Holy Spirit is our connection and it can move anyone! In the 3^rd photo is the closing or dedication of the new roof for the Venezuela School. It was a party to say thank you for all the hard work that the team provided. I think it was special for this team as they were overwhelmed by hugs from all 200 children who attend this school. In the 4^th photo it is an expression that all team members feel; the horrible feeling of saying good-bye. I’m always amazed to see in how the Holy Spirit can bring such a connection between Latinos and North American brothers and sisters in such a short time. Please re-read the scripture and then look at the last photo. There are no other words but to say that this is why we do what we do. Look for a faith as innocent as a child and look to Jesus for your blessing.