When my uncle John was in town for his mom's funeral, I got to talk to him for a little bit. He is the one that is a missionary in Ecuador. I was talking to him about how Michah and Chrissy have been wanting to go down there, but that they just haven't been able to sell their house. He talked about the church plant that they were/are to be a part of and how they sent the rest of the people without them knowing the urgency of getting the church started. Instead of the church hearing the beautiful voices and music of Micah and Chrissy, they are using a boombox instead.
He talked about how Jesus said that many are called, but few are chosen (Matt. 22:14). It is so true. I know that I am called to missions. I know without a doubt that I am called to the children at CdE. I hope and pray that I am chosen to be one that is supposed to be full time down there some day.
My uncle was talking about how sometimes you have to make crazy or seemingly unwise decisions to show that you are chosen and not simply called. He did that when he moved to Ecuador and he was wondering if Micah and Chrissy would need to take that step to show that they are chosen as well.
Saturday night, I cleaned my room and was catching up to Amadeo sermons. (Great idea by the way - it really helps get the cleaning done and you can even pause them for when you have to get clothes from the washer and into the dryer.) I think it was in Randy's sermon about the prodigal son when I was relearning this and it reminded me about my conversation with my uncle.
My uncle said, "People say that God told them something, but you can never know what God truly told them. " That, along with what Randy was saying was showing me that maybe what I thought God had said, "Just because I had DD move to CO so fast doesn't mean that you are not called or that you aren't going to Mexico. Stop asking me how and when. I will tell you when you need to do what I want you to do." It makes me wonder.... Should I take more steps to move down there now? If I continue my life as I have been, waiting for God to tell me, "Go, go now, now is the time"... Will I miss it and miss being chosen?
Then, Sunday night, I went to my parents church. They support their friends from their college group days that were missionaries in Hong Kong for 15 + years and now have a church in Scottsdale. During it, John (the pastor) spoke a word for me saying that God is going to give me my hearts desires and that He is going to show me the way.
Praise the Lord. I did hear His voice. In times like this where I doubt, He always reassures me of His good and perfect will for my life.
Tuesday, July 31
Almost two weeks ago, I was at dinner with my uncle's family. They started talking about random memories from all sorts of people. My uncle's sister Mary said, "remember the time that Hannah almost drowned?" I had never heard this story, and apparently, my mom hadn't either. All of the women had gone shopping that day and so the kids stayed at home with all of the men. I was young, definitely under 4. I was in the pool and then I kind of just sank to the bottom and sat there. I wasn't struggling or fighting... I was just sitting there. Finally, one of them jumped in the pool and got me out and I was fine.
When I was one and half is when I had my first seizure. I later got diagnosed with viralencephalitus. I was one of two survivors that year (so I remember being told). I was in a semi coma for 10 days. This I new about.
It's just weird that I am just now finding out the near drowning experience.
I think about it all... I think about being in a semi coma and almost drowning when I was little. It's things like this that just make me realize how much God loves me. He has saved me so many times and revitalized me. It's amazing. For this, I am so thankful. I feel so undeserving to have a God that has protected me so much in my life. Just think about my driving... I am bad. He protects me all the time - on a daily basis. :)
When I was in Romania, I would walk about a half mile or so every night home from my friend's apartment to mine. I walked by drunk gypsies gambling on the side of the road, barking dogs that were both inside gates of the college, and all sorts of abandoned animals. He protected me. He continues to protect me. Oh how underserving I am and how I hope that I can give Him an ounce of the glory and gratefulness that He deserves.
When I was one and half is when I had my first seizure. I later got diagnosed with viralencephalitus. I was one of two survivors that year (so I remember being told). I was in a semi coma for 10 days. This I new about.
It's just weird that I am just now finding out the near drowning experience.
I think about it all... I think about being in a semi coma and almost drowning when I was little. It's things like this that just make me realize how much God loves me. He has saved me so many times and revitalized me. It's amazing. For this, I am so thankful. I feel so undeserving to have a God that has protected me so much in my life. Just think about my driving... I am bad. He protects me all the time - on a daily basis. :)
When I was in Romania, I would walk about a half mile or so every night home from my friend's apartment to mine. I walked by drunk gypsies gambling on the side of the road, barking dogs that were both inside gates of the college, and all sorts of abandoned animals. He protected me. He continues to protect me. Oh how underserving I am and how I hope that I can give Him an ounce of the glory and gratefulness that He deserves.
Sunday, July 29
On my way to church today, I was praying and I started thinking... I was thinking about the trip to Sonoqui Village yesterday and all of the people I got to see and meet. I remember the lady with 3 kids in the wading pool that was shocked the food was for her as she said in her cute little Spanish accent, "For me?". I remember the sweet little girl that smiled like Rosa Linda from the orphanage with her cute little gum smile with barely the top of her teeth showing. I remember how her family lived with 2 other families in that home - a total of 12 people, half kids and half adults. I remember going up to the nicest trailer there with 2 brand new cars outside and how the elderly man said, "No, I don't need any food" and then closed the door suddenly afterward. I remember these people.
I look at our church, and I am so thankful that we try to minister as much as we can. I look at the ministries and for a moment, I am proud. I am proud to be a soon member of a church that focuses and strives to love in areas of children, worship, women's, men's, biker, missions, and outreaches to the poor.
Yet, in that moment, I felt a tugging. I felt an urgency that I have never felt before.
I began thinking about all the riches that surround Sonoqui Village. The enormously huge houses and the type of people that must live there. The people that probably have no or little material need.
God then reminded me of a verse that He alone spoke when He was here. "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to go to heaven."
Wow. How we have all neglected these people. I think of the verses where it warns not to give a better seat to the rich man than to the poor man... to not show them favoritism in that way. Yet, I by no means think that that verse or the others like it mean that we should neglect them.
I have caught myself lately at times where I tend to be more polite and courteous to people of Hispanic ethnicity. Preferring people over others is just as much racism as treating other people worse for that same reason. For that I am guilty and I am trying to change. I think the church as a whole is as guilty of the same thing when it comes to the different "classes" of people. We focus on the poor. We realize that it's the "middle class" that is going to keep the church going and maybe even be where most of the members fall into.
It is when people are poor and at their low point where they depend on God and they realize it's only Him that can sustain them and keep them going. It's the poor that realize that God has given them every good and perfect thing that they have.
Yet the rich... they give credit to themselves. They are the only people that God says, "it's hard for them to get into heaven." They have the toughest road ahead of them in order to get to heaven. They have the most hurdles in their race to God and to be like Him.
I started thinking... Wow God, what would a ministry to the rich look like? What could we possibly do to reach out to them? If we took the extra bags of food into one of their neighborhoods yesterday, what would their response be?
"Why would you be bringing me food?"
"Shouldn't you be giving food to the poor, not to people in this neighborhood?"
What if we then challenged them... "Well, if you think they need it, would you be willing to give it to a poor person or family?" "Can you give it to someone for me instead?"
What would their reaction be to that? Could some simple challenge teach them more than simply giving them something?
I continue to think about it as it is so overwhelming in my head and I can't stop playing detective to figure out what to do from here. Ian had a great message today, and I paid attention as much as I could, but I kept wanting to say, "What about the rich?" "What about the people we are neglecting the most?"
We know that evil people are obviously wrong. Some secretly hope that Hitler never got saved before he died. Some hope the same for Osama bin Laden and all the others that we hear about. Yet, what about those neglected people that seem to be so blessed on the outside and seem to be so nice and polite but have a future of doom ahead of them?
What about them?
I look at our church, and I am so thankful that we try to minister as much as we can. I look at the ministries and for a moment, I am proud. I am proud to be a soon member of a church that focuses and strives to love in areas of children, worship, women's, men's, biker, missions, and outreaches to the poor.
Yet, in that moment, I felt a tugging. I felt an urgency that I have never felt before.
I began thinking about all the riches that surround Sonoqui Village. The enormously huge houses and the type of people that must live there. The people that probably have no or little material need.
God then reminded me of a verse that He alone spoke when He was here. "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to go to heaven."
Wow. How we have all neglected these people. I think of the verses where it warns not to give a better seat to the rich man than to the poor man... to not show them favoritism in that way. Yet, I by no means think that that verse or the others like it mean that we should neglect them.
I have caught myself lately at times where I tend to be more polite and courteous to people of Hispanic ethnicity. Preferring people over others is just as much racism as treating other people worse for that same reason. For that I am guilty and I am trying to change. I think the church as a whole is as guilty of the same thing when it comes to the different "classes" of people. We focus on the poor. We realize that it's the "middle class" that is going to keep the church going and maybe even be where most of the members fall into.
It is when people are poor and at their low point where they depend on God and they realize it's only Him that can sustain them and keep them going. It's the poor that realize that God has given them every good and perfect thing that they have.
Yet the rich... they give credit to themselves. They are the only people that God says, "it's hard for them to get into heaven." They have the toughest road ahead of them in order to get to heaven. They have the most hurdles in their race to God and to be like Him.
I started thinking... Wow God, what would a ministry to the rich look like? What could we possibly do to reach out to them? If we took the extra bags of food into one of their neighborhoods yesterday, what would their response be?
"Why would you be bringing me food?"
"Shouldn't you be giving food to the poor, not to people in this neighborhood?"
What if we then challenged them... "Well, if you think they need it, would you be willing to give it to a poor person or family?" "Can you give it to someone for me instead?"
What would their reaction be to that? Could some simple challenge teach them more than simply giving them something?
I continue to think about it as it is so overwhelming in my head and I can't stop playing detective to figure out what to do from here. Ian had a great message today, and I paid attention as much as I could, but I kept wanting to say, "What about the rich?" "What about the people we are neglecting the most?"
We know that evil people are obviously wrong. Some secretly hope that Hitler never got saved before he died. Some hope the same for Osama bin Laden and all the others that we hear about. Yet, what about those neglected people that seem to be so blessed on the outside and seem to be so nice and polite but have a future of doom ahead of them?
What about them?
Wednesday, July 25
Tonight is the Missionnettes dinner. I am really excited to see everyone as it's been a couple of weeks since VBS. That week is so crazy though that it's not like you really get to spend time with people. Last night (since I'm a procrastinator), I got the years worth of badges planned for Prims. I picked which 9 of the 13 units left that I think would be best to do. Tell me, why would they have an Earth, Nature, Plants & Flowers, and Creation badges? Isn't that a little overload of such similar topics... Maybe it's just me.
Nia is going to be the teacher this year, but I got everything ready for her so that she would have a lot less work to do. I have to tell you though... getting everything done last night was so much fun.. I look at the different activities that she can choose from for the badges (things like making a paper mache globe for the Nature, Missions, or Creation badge - or how about doing a secret handshake during the Friendship badge). I am going through these and I am hoping... hoping that I will be there the week that they are doing those activities for that badge - or worse yet, that she likes the options that I do. As much as I hate to admit it, Jeff Williams is right... I can't do things 50%, I have to be 100%. I stepped down from being the teacher because I get overwhelmed doing that, CdE, and teaching once a month at Amadeo. Yet, I am going crazy thinking about how I'm not going to be the teacher this year and I wish I could take it back. Now, I know that Addi and Cais aren't going to be there, and that's going to suck. There are some things that I know they would love to do! :( But, life goes on, somehow I have to get over it, kids grow older, and I know that Stars is going to be great for them. Anywho, I don't know what I'm going to do now... I wonder if it would be possible for me to go every week. Maybe I'll ask tonight. :)
Nia is going to be the teacher this year, but I got everything ready for her so that she would have a lot less work to do. I have to tell you though... getting everything done last night was so much fun.. I look at the different activities that she can choose from for the badges (things like making a paper mache globe for the Nature, Missions, or Creation badge - or how about doing a secret handshake during the Friendship badge). I am going through these and I am hoping... hoping that I will be there the week that they are doing those activities for that badge - or worse yet, that she likes the options that I do. As much as I hate to admit it, Jeff Williams is right... I can't do things 50%, I have to be 100%. I stepped down from being the teacher because I get overwhelmed doing that, CdE, and teaching once a month at Amadeo. Yet, I am going crazy thinking about how I'm not going to be the teacher this year and I wish I could take it back. Now, I know that Addi and Cais aren't going to be there, and that's going to suck. There are some things that I know they would love to do! :( But, life goes on, somehow I have to get over it, kids grow older, and I know that Stars is going to be great for them. Anywho, I don't know what I'm going to do now... I wonder if it would be possible for me to go every week. Maybe I'll ask tonight. :)
Monday, July 23
I have fixed the "About Us" page on my CdE blog since I have completely different people that go on the trips now.
Feel free to check it out here.
Keith, please let me know if you want me to change the wording or pictures of any of them. Also, let me know if you would prefer for you and Patty to be separate. :)
Feel free to check it out here.
Keith, please let me know if you want me to change the wording or pictures of any of them. Also, let me know if you would prefer for you and Patty to be separate. :)
Sunday, July 22
Random mix of thoughts....
At times, I never thought that going on trips to CdE would make me as involved in the youth ministry as I am... I also never realized how full time it could actually be. I am by no means complaining about it, I enjoy it, it's just a realization I have come to lately.
You know someone knows you when..... you're walking next to them, thinking about how crazy they are making you by whatever they are doing that is annoying, and then they say, "Me haces loca" (You make me crazy) in an imitating voice... Yep, that happened from the boy I sponsor on the last trip - he knows me way to well - it's scary.
You know things aren't forgotten or unknown when.... I am saying goodbye to all the kids or "See you soon" as they hate goodbyes... one of the boys, Cristian, comes up to me with his arms open wide. I do my usual of scooping up this 11 year old boy and give him a hug and a kiss or two. He then keeps walking and points to the 3 boys behind him. He says, "new" and then crosses his arms over his chest and moves back and forth like he's hugging himself and then says, "hug and kiss them." I looked at the boys and realized that I hadn't seen them all weekend and said, "No, they are your friends, they're not new." It was on that drive home that I remembered what happened earlier this year when I basically picked up on a random kid in Imuris thinking it was no other than Cristian and that I picked up that boy and hugged him and kissed him. I tried to take him back to the orphanage and when I realized it wasn't him, I got in the car and then they rolled on the sidewalk laughing hysterically... Yeah, it was those 3 boys - I'm sure of it... and I guess they ended out telling Cristian the story too... It's pretty funny, I have to admit.
You never know what a true pastor looks like... until you are practically brought to tears in a church service seeing the love that someone has for the flock by giving a simple handshake and smile to a new-er member. This happened to me today.
You never realize the vision the church has until you come up with ideas and then realize that other people had even better ideas for just as worthy causes (since I don't consider any ministry better or not-as-worthy as another). I am so proud of the people in the church that have planned the backback/school supplies donations to Sonoqui Village and that we're doing an Angel Tree this year.
Also, instead of doing individual gifts for the kiddos at CdE this year, I have been asked to try to get laptop computers. They need them for their homework as crazy as that sounds. If anyone has any ideas of how to ask different computer manufacturers for donations, please let me know. I am not that good at that.
Love you all. Thank you for allowing me to be in fellowship with you and to learn from you by simply the way you live your life. :)
At times, I never thought that going on trips to CdE would make me as involved in the youth ministry as I am... I also never realized how full time it could actually be. I am by no means complaining about it, I enjoy it, it's just a realization I have come to lately.
You know someone knows you when..... you're walking next to them, thinking about how crazy they are making you by whatever they are doing that is annoying, and then they say, "Me haces loca" (You make me crazy) in an imitating voice... Yep, that happened from the boy I sponsor on the last trip - he knows me way to well - it's scary.
You know things aren't forgotten or unknown when.... I am saying goodbye to all the kids or "See you soon" as they hate goodbyes... one of the boys, Cristian, comes up to me with his arms open wide. I do my usual of scooping up this 11 year old boy and give him a hug and a kiss or two. He then keeps walking and points to the 3 boys behind him. He says, "new" and then crosses his arms over his chest and moves back and forth like he's hugging himself and then says, "hug and kiss them." I looked at the boys and realized that I hadn't seen them all weekend and said, "No, they are your friends, they're not new." It was on that drive home that I remembered what happened earlier this year when I basically picked up on a random kid in Imuris thinking it was no other than Cristian and that I picked up that boy and hugged him and kissed him. I tried to take him back to the orphanage and when I realized it wasn't him, I got in the car and then they rolled on the sidewalk laughing hysterically... Yeah, it was those 3 boys - I'm sure of it... and I guess they ended out telling Cristian the story too... It's pretty funny, I have to admit.
You never know what a true pastor looks like... until you are practically brought to tears in a church service seeing the love that someone has for the flock by giving a simple handshake and smile to a new-er member. This happened to me today.
You never realize the vision the church has until you come up with ideas and then realize that other people had even better ideas for just as worthy causes (since I don't consider any ministry better or not-as-worthy as another). I am so proud of the people in the church that have planned the backback/school supplies donations to Sonoqui Village and that we're doing an Angel Tree this year.
Also, instead of doing individual gifts for the kiddos at CdE this year, I have been asked to try to get laptop computers. They need them for their homework as crazy as that sounds. If anyone has any ideas of how to ask different computer manufacturers for donations, please let me know. I am not that good at that.
Love you all. Thank you for allowing me to be in fellowship with you and to learn from you by simply the way you live your life. :)
Friday, July 20
One of the things that amazes me the most when I go down to Imuris is the locals. There are some truly amazing people that are down there and love on the kids. Most of the time, the kids don't eat dinner on Saturday nights. It's only due to the generosity of the lady on the left in this photo. She and her husband come down every single Saturday afternoon and play games with the kids - usually a lottery type game that is like Bingo only with pictures. They bring down a truck full of snacks that they give out as prizes and somehow everyone gets one eventually. The generousity of the couple is astonishing - especially when you think of them doing it on a weekly basis.
They have two boys that bring their friends with them and play and love on the kids the whole time they are there. They are truly a family that knows how to love.
The girl in the middle is famous down there. She's a blind singer and she just pours out her heart and soul. She is so popular! They all want their picture with her and the ability to walk her around. She will sit there and play her guitar and sing for hours. It's like the kids get their own special concert everytime she goes down there - which is often. This is the second time that I was blessed to see her. She even serenaded those of us that were helping in the kitchen later that day. She's a true example of what God can do and how He has no limits.
Thursday, July 19
Monday, July 16
To me, this is what it's all about... seeing a kid that is a little bit down - sad, not in the mix with the other kids, engrossed with whatever is on their mind, and then having them realize that someone does notice them, somone does love them, and someone is wanting to spend time with them.
With these pictures of Manuel de Jesus, it is a classic example of before and after of God's love in someone's live and how much a little love and attention truly goes.
Friday, July 13
I have learned that overalls make a lot of noise in the dryer....
The last night of VBS is quickly approaching. I can't believe how fast each night went by.
It's very interesting making snack for 200+ kids each night. There's always little questions of "I wonder if I did this differently if I would have had a better outcome."
I have been blown away at some of the kids knowledge of the bible this week - and honestly, - most of them have been the boys in Royal Rangers.
Tonight's going to be a long night having to clean up that animal bedding that's been on the floor for a week. It will be good to get it out of there though... It gets kind of nasty with lemonade and everything else getting spilled on it. I'm sure there will be a huge fight with it later though for a last hoorah. I know Terry & Shannon want to play around in it.
Tomorrow I'm going to CdE with Patty, Keith?, Shannon, Meredith, Jared, Madi, and 2 of Jared's friends. Roxanna and her dad, Paul, will already be down there. Paul reminds me a lot of Oz, so I always enjoy it when he comes too. He's that intellectual political type. haha
Monday, I don't remember who asked me to do what, but there's something - I think. Oh yeah, my aunt and uncle fly in from Ecuador because my uncle's mom died. It doesn't look like I'll get some personal time for a little bit.
Work is going good... I have to finish a visio by the end of the day today. It's my first time working in it for myself, but it's pretty easy to learn, and it's kind of fun. I've been offered different positions within my company in different departments and talks of moving around in my current one as well. I just need to figure out what each option would entail and then decide what I want to do.
Well, I better get to work soon, but there's just a wee little update. :)
The last night of VBS is quickly approaching. I can't believe how fast each night went by.
It's very interesting making snack for 200+ kids each night. There's always little questions of "I wonder if I did this differently if I would have had a better outcome."
I have been blown away at some of the kids knowledge of the bible this week - and honestly, - most of them have been the boys in Royal Rangers.
Tonight's going to be a long night having to clean up that animal bedding that's been on the floor for a week. It will be good to get it out of there though... It gets kind of nasty with lemonade and everything else getting spilled on it. I'm sure there will be a huge fight with it later though for a last hoorah. I know Terry & Shannon want to play around in it.
Tomorrow I'm going to CdE with Patty, Keith?, Shannon, Meredith, Jared, Madi, and 2 of Jared's friends. Roxanna and her dad, Paul, will already be down there. Paul reminds me a lot of Oz, so I always enjoy it when he comes too. He's that intellectual political type. haha
Monday, I don't remember who asked me to do what, but there's something - I think. Oh yeah, my aunt and uncle fly in from Ecuador because my uncle's mom died. It doesn't look like I'll get some personal time for a little bit.
Work is going good... I have to finish a visio by the end of the day today. It's my first time working in it for myself, but it's pretty easy to learn, and it's kind of fun. I've been offered different positions within my company in different departments and talks of moving around in my current one as well. I just need to figure out what each option would entail and then decide what I want to do.
Well, I better get to work soon, but there's just a wee little update. :)
Tuesday, July 10
Saturday - Number of kids registered for VBS - 135
Sunday - 150
Amount that showed up last night - 215
Holy cow... It was absolutely insane with the amount of kids that showed up last night with the biggest class at 62. The night went super fast though and I think it went well in all the rooms. The biggest bummer about having that big of classes is the inability to spend time with any of them. It's virtually impossible to talk to them when they need refills or food. Yet, what a great problem to have. Despite the numbers, God will totally reach each of the kids.
Sunday - 150
Amount that showed up last night - 215
Holy cow... It was absolutely insane with the amount of kids that showed up last night with the biggest class at 62. The night went super fast though and I think it went well in all the rooms. The biggest bummer about having that big of classes is the inability to spend time with any of them. It's virtually impossible to talk to them when they need refills or food. Yet, what a great problem to have. Despite the numbers, God will totally reach each of the kids.
Friday, July 6
Isn't this what VBS is all about? Not the making of fun things to put on the walls and make it look all snazzy... but using all sorts of little things to help God's work sink into the kids to where they will digest it. It needs to become a part of who they are. They need to meditate and hear things over and over again until it clicks. As we prepare for this week for the kids, it's so important for us to chew on His word as well.
VBS...
So I thought that it was going to be on the 23-27th. With it being on those dates, it would be after my work trip on the 16-20th (which has since been cancelled) and it wouldn't interfere with my trip to CdE on the 13-15th. Yet, on Monday, I found out it was next week. I am in charge of snack again this year, and last year, I had everything planned and bought months in advance. The VIVA, Fiesta theme just fit me, after all, I was born on the wrong side of the border. I could not get into "Chuck Wagon Chow" as part of "Avalanche Ranch". Yet, here I was on Monday with the need to tell people what to help me with as far as making decorations. I had to come up with something fast.
Sure enough, after about an hour it seemed like, I picked my them - Pig Barn. It's not exactly the Chuck Wagon theme that I was supposed to have, but it fits. Carrie's room for the theater is going to be with horses and stuff, and who has ever heard of a ranch without pigs? Besides, what animal do people associating to eating the most... even more than birds. Pigs! It just works in my eyes.
Anywho, I am now so super excited for VBS. It's kind of like when you buy a present for someone and you can hardly wait to give it to them... the kind of excitement that kids get the night before Christmas. Yeah, I am beyond stoked.
Since leaving on Monday night, I have now planned: how the entire room will be decorated, the snacks for each night, my wardrobe (I view VBS kind of like Halloween!), and all of the little details that will make the room and experience spectacular. Tomorrow morning, Amy and I are going to a store to buy the centerpiece for the room. It's going to be amazing. I'm definitely going to take pictures this year and I have a few things I have to make at home tonight or tomorrow before the big day of putting it all together on Monday.
Can I get a big "Yee-Haw!"?
So I thought that it was going to be on the 23-27th. With it being on those dates, it would be after my work trip on the 16-20th (which has since been cancelled) and it wouldn't interfere with my trip to CdE on the 13-15th. Yet, on Monday, I found out it was next week. I am in charge of snack again this year, and last year, I had everything planned and bought months in advance. The VIVA, Fiesta theme just fit me, after all, I was born on the wrong side of the border. I could not get into "Chuck Wagon Chow" as part of "Avalanche Ranch". Yet, here I was on Monday with the need to tell people what to help me with as far as making decorations. I had to come up with something fast.
Sure enough, after about an hour it seemed like, I picked my them - Pig Barn. It's not exactly the Chuck Wagon theme that I was supposed to have, but it fits. Carrie's room for the theater is going to be with horses and stuff, and who has ever heard of a ranch without pigs? Besides, what animal do people associating to eating the most... even more than birds. Pigs! It just works in my eyes.
Anywho, I am now so super excited for VBS. It's kind of like when you buy a present for someone and you can hardly wait to give it to them... the kind of excitement that kids get the night before Christmas. Yeah, I am beyond stoked.
Since leaving on Monday night, I have now planned: how the entire room will be decorated, the snacks for each night, my wardrobe (I view VBS kind of like Halloween!), and all of the little details that will make the room and experience spectacular. Tomorrow morning, Amy and I are going to a store to buy the centerpiece for the room. It's going to be amazing. I'm definitely going to take pictures this year and I have a few things I have to make at home tonight or tomorrow before the big day of putting it all together on Monday.
Can I get a big "Yee-Haw!"?
Tuesday, July 3
Monday, July 2
For starters, I just want to say I love all the kids so very much! I am so proud of each of them for their accomplishments they have made in regards to their education. Yet, on Jesus's graduation, I thought it would be a good time to mention all the little things that I love about him... an ode to Jesus Humberto (or Ruco) if you will.....(for those of you that are clueless, he's the boy I sponsor at CdE) It has been an honor seeing his personality grow and mature in the past 16 months I have known him. He has gone from a shy, quite, contemplative boy to an outgoing, funny, obnoxious, thoughtful, and intelligent leader amont the boys there.
He loves the bible, and John 17 is his favorite chapter. We have been comparing our favorite bible scriptures lately and it's such a blessing to have fellowship with him.
He is a great pitcher in baseball and a great middlefielder in soccer. Pitchers shouldn't be able to bat.. but he has such a good eye, that he almost always gets onto first.
He helps me out whenever I really need it... He helps me do the pinata if there is no one in my group around to help. He has helped me wash dishes in the kitchen and even helped Nana wipe off the spoons. He has helped me clean the apartment and communicate with kids that don't understand my horrible accent.
He's also hilarious! He is learning so much English. He has learned the funniest phrases, and he tells Madi, "You are weird crazy chicken donkey four eyes." It's awesome... She loves it because she feels like he's her little brother. Jared, Adrian, and I had him fart on her when he had to sit on her lap because there was no room. On our past trip, he would fart and then look at her, point, and then say, "for you." It's great.
Even though there are times where he drives me absolutely crazy from him pulling my ponytail and messing up my hair or deleting all the pictures in my camera or videos or pics of specific kids... I love him. He is the most amazing kid ever. He likes science, reading, math, sports, games, cards, gymnastics/dancing, taking care of the little kids, being crazy, and most of all - Jesus. He told me once in a letter - "We raced and we won because we have faith". Here's to my littlest 13 year old boy with such a huge heart! I am so proud of him.
I did end out having to go to Tampa last week. It was a short 48 hour trip and that includes traveling time. I came home just to run some last minute errands before the trip. I was anxious to get down there so I could talk to Giselle about some of the events last weekend that happened with Jessica. I found out more truth and it's not as worrysome as it was before - so that's good.
When we were down there, the kids asked about her and where she was. Even if everything last weekend went fine, she still wouldn't have been able to come because her work only allows her to have one Saturday off a month. I explained that to the kids and also told some of them how she was in trouble with her mom because of how she was the weekend before. They totally understood. To me, this is huge, because this means the 2 or 3 that knew last weekend spread the word... lets just say, with 110 kids there, word gets around no matter if you like it or not. Because of this, I will have to make stricter guidelines in the future and it is up to her mom if she's even allowed to come again. I believe her mom said she's not allowed to come in July and then after that one of her parents will need to go down with her.
Anywho, I need to get to the excitment of the graduation. 26 kids graduated this weekend! It is a great accomplishment for them, and it was an exciting time. It starts with the a speech and then the entrance of the graduates. They then have a very intriquite flag ceremony which to me, shows the culture, respect for their country, and even part of their history. They then continue on with a lot more speeches and the honoring of the different teachers and people on staff. They were each given a plaque. The applause and the screaming for the Nana was unlike I have ever seen. The kids all stood, clapped, and cheered - way louder than for anyone else. She has worked there for 20 of the 21 years that they have been opened, and she loves those kids like no other - she deserves to be celebrated! They had these dancers that came from another city and they performed a few dances - they were really good. It ended with the graduates all standing arm in arm and swaying back and forth and then singing a song. They then had the boys walk with a girl on each arm (more girls graduated this year), and then the boys took turns slow dancing with each of their girls. They then threw up their hats in the air. It was a beautiful sight to see.
2 more kids ranaway while we were there. It is really sad since they left siblings behind. One of the ones that left is the girl that Mike & Evan from VCC sponsor. At the graduation, I got to see one of the girls that ran away before. It was great to see her and her mom there celebrating her older brother's graduation from primary school.
Manuel has asked me to be their web master for their website. I would love to do it, but I hope I can figure it out and help make it better. I might be looking for some help from some people... so don't be too surprised if I ask you. :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
