“All in a day” plus one more

Where to start?!  Yesterday was a day full of fun, quarrels, laughter, and tears — which concluded all of us falling quickly asleep last night.

Because it was the weekend, most of the kids go home to spend time with their families.  This left thirty or more kids at the home.  We played a lot of UNO, colored, and did activities outside.  The kids have so much energy that it is sometimes hard to keep up with them!

In the afternoon, my family decided that we would treat the kids to a movie, soda, pizza and ice cream.  The kids had a blast!  And so did we!  We went to the movie theatres and saw Alvin and the Chipmunks (o en espanol Alvin y las ardillas) and then went back to the home to eat some supper.  A lot of the kids said that their favorite food was pizza, so they devoured it quite quickly and swiftly.

One observation I thought was interesting, is that all the kids ate their pizza crust.  One thing I am learning from these kids is that I should be happy for what I have and never take for granted what we are given.  These kids never waste anything.  When they get a new toy, they will keep it until it’s in pieces — and even then they will make a new toy out of the pieces.  In America, the majority of children never eat their crust.  This may not mean anything, but it reminded me that I need to be happy for what I have.

Playing outside!

Eating some dinn dinn!

Lots of energy in the kitchen!

Getting ready to go to the movie theatre!

Inside the bus -- there was hardly room to move

Having fun with Brenda!

Our brother and and son in Christ!

My mom became a pro at making pipe-cleaner glasses. The kids loved them!

Juan y Brenda -- I love these two!

Now my mom will post some thoughts about last night and this morning’s church service.

“Last night was many things.  Fun, yet tiring, frustrating and enlightening.  After we finished pizza the kids had three hours of non-scheduled time.  That is before the youngest would go to bed.  What to do for three hours with few toys, few rules, and little supervision.  Well…….we played balloon volleyball over a table.  We played dominoes.  I read to some little girls in Spanish with the help of my friend Lapita.  We broke up a fight, stopped a bloody nose, and kept a child from cutting all the Barbie’s hair off.  Oh my.  There is somewhat of a pack mentality, with Alpha “girls” that no one would ever go against, even if it is wrong.  I learned how to say, “Be nice” in Spanish.  I also left in tears because although these girls learn a lot about life, they can’t learn what “family” is.  Anyway.  It certainly gave us many more ways to pray for the kids, and specific needs of certain girls.

Ellen asked me to talk a bit about church.  It was so worshipful!  That is with me understanding only about every 50th word.  I did love hearing the worship leader telling them to “call on the name of Jesus.”  Also, they had testimony time.  They start their prayers with Senor Dios (Ellen told me it meant Lord God—I thought it meant Mr. God, which I thought was adorable).  I could hear them saying thank you for their families, and brothers, and sisters.  It was meaningful to me.  I loved the kids waving flags in worship, the clapping hands, and the jumping up and down.  It was great!”

Church! The kids absolutely love the violin!

Praising the Lord!

Today we also watched the kids play soccer for a few hours.  They have teams divided into age groups.  They asked Khalia and I to play, but we didn’t want to score a point for the opposing team or anything like that…so we thought it best to cheer on the side instead.

Watching the game!

Cheering for Cruz Azul!

CRUZ AZUL!

Please pray that our time spent here will be useful and glorying to the Lord.  Pray that we would continue to have energy and strength to minister to these children and anyone in our midst.  Also, please pray that the children continue to seek after the Lord and thirst for His Word.  There are many children who still need their eyes to be opened.

In church today, they asked the kids to stand if they were ready to proclaim the name of Jesus to those around them.  And it made me think of this verse.

1 Peter 3:15 – But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…

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