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Ah, the rains have cleared up. Thank you, Lord! The forecasters predicted rain for 3 days, but apparently the storm has moved past us, which is good, for there is much work to be done!

Today is the feast of St. Bishoy, which is truly a blessing for us, because the church of St. Kitts is in the name of St. Mark and St. Bishoy. We celebrated a liturgy this morning in our makeshift church downstairs in the house. Abouna explained that the church of St. Kitts was named for St. Bishoy because his story bears a striking resemblance to the western saint Christopher, for whom the island is named (St. Kitts is short for St. Christopher). St. Christopher is the saint who helped Christians cross a body of water, and upon helping a baby across, he found the Infant Christ and carried him. Likewise, St. Bishoy carried our Good Savior on his back, not knowing at first who the stranger is who sat on his back. Because of this similarity, the church here is named for St. Bishoy.

After liturgy, we went to the church and Abouna Shenouda's house and spent the day with the children of the church. We played with twelve amazing children, ages 5 and 13. We played games, sang hymns, put on a puppet show, and were then treated to a puppet show by the kids, and listened to their beautiful voices when they taught us hymns. Although we (the servants) went for several hours without eating lunch (but we fed the children, of course), no one complained, but instead each one poured his energy into playing and teaching the children.

The children here are so eager to be a part of the church, so simple and loving and trusting of whomever is willing to serve them. There were joyful with whatever game we suggested, whatever activity we had planned, even with the small gifts we shared with them. We saw Christ in each one of their innocent and loving faces. I was reminded of Christ's words: "Whoever receives any one of these little children receives Me."At the end of our day together, there was sadness on both sides we did not want to say goodbye to the children, and they did not want to say goodbye to us. We felt a close bond with them, and promised to see them soon.

In the evening, we prayed vespers and then prepared dinner. We were joined by Abouna Shenouda and his family, and Abouna gave us a sermon on the Desire to Serve God.

More tomorrow, God willing.