As soon as we got off the bus near the church, there were swarms of children! They were all so cute and very welcoming. The girls immediately started teaching everyone clapping/rhythm games. I was about to take a picture of a little girl, Maria, who had pulled Maddy aside to teach her, away from the group - when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around and there were three little boys standing there smiling. "Un foto?" They wanted their picture taken. It was so cute!
3 little cuties! :)
Maria teaching Maddy a rhythm hand game
I knew the one who had tapped me on the shoulder must have 'drawn the short straw' as he sort of backed away after he did it. But I insisted he get in the picture too and I could see that he was really happy. I then showed them on the screen, the picture I had taken. This is their favorite part. I just wish I could print some of them out so that they could keep them.
After taking a few more pictures of the kids, I saw Sandy pick up one of the little boys and sort of swing him up over her head. That was ok once, but then she had a rotating line of about four
little boys who all wanted turns - over and over and over again. Jim came over to help out. It looked exhausting - but it made for some great photos! :)
Sandy and her little man (who did seek her out at Kid's Club later that week)
Jim tossing them higher than they thought possible!
After a few more minutes of playing we all headed inside the church. All the locals - once again - got up and offered us their seats. I sat near the back - right next to the door - as people were filing in. All of a sudden I felt a tiny little hand on my neck. The cutest little boy was behind me and I could tell that he was trying to tickle me. So - I attacked! He giggled and laughed so hard. I could not understand what his name was, but I asked how old he was and I must have been close to speaking 'real spanish' because he held up three fingers. He was just perfect.
Once church was about to start they called all the pastors up front. Joelle was not in the building yet, but Pastor Matt went up. During the service there were a few worship songs with lots of drums and clapping. Then a group of young girls did a dance that they had prepared. As DeLise (World Servants leader) welcomed everyone and introduced what states we were from - she stated that we had four pastors on the stage and that we would be hearing from 3 of them! Preaching on the spot. No pressure. I think the Pastors from Tennessee may have been a little more ready for this as they have been down here several times before. Regardless, they all did awesome.
Pastor Matt's turn to preach.
The home visits and Kid's Club were the things that I were least looking forward to on this trip. I am definitely a behind the scenes person and the manual labor is much more my style of service. But I survived the home visits, and after seeing many of the kids today - Kid's Club might not be to bad.
A long bus ride back to the camp. An hour that seemed more like four. But hey! No getting off for hills this time!
Dinner: Chicken, mashed potatoes with a broth/gravy, cucumbers and vinegar (?), a carrot/raisin salad, bread and a cookie. Oh! And breakfast this morning was "oatmeal" and freah fruit! ~Pineapple~ Cantaloupe ~Watermelon~
Bread and Queso Blanco (white cheese)
Lunch: PB&J or Ham and Cheese sandwiches and a bag of chips.
Ethan would be surprised at all the new things I'm trying. Some of them I like and some I choke down because that's what there is. So much for eating "pourage and bugs" like Ethan said I would be. (Though when I saw this mornings "oatmeal" - I was beginning to wonder).
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