Week 2 day 4

 I’m truly starting to fall in love with the community and connections with the people here. A week will never be enough time, so I won’t waste a second!

To start off our day we ofc had our morning devotional, Dan led it today because Steve went to the mother recovery home, where they help the mothers of children who are in the system, to help them get back up on their feet! 

Afterwards we made our way over to the main orphanage that we’ve been at a lot! Our leaders asked us if we wanted to do more work, play with the kids or both and ofc we said both! 

So we made our way over and within seconds, the kids started coming up to me asking for a “foto”!

one of the little girls grabbed my hand and pulled me over to the court they have, and started playing catch! She saw my bug band and thought it was so cool she asked to keep it! It made my day how something so simple could mean so much! As we were trying to talk, I had pulled my phone out to translate, and she got so interested in learning English words for things like ball, girl, and lady. 

As we went over to the baby house, I gravitated towards her. As we made our way outside, we played on the swing, laying in the grass and pretended to cry, we(she) rode around on a bike! She was such a sweetheart! 

And as we started walking with them back to their beds she lost me for second and started looking around for me and took my hand! As I put her in her crib she started to fuss but I just stood there with her until the caregiver was able to help her get settled. It was such a relaxing part to an already energy filled day! 

After this we made our way to another house with kids a little older, where we had planned some activities for the kids to do before school. 

Kristy brought giant bowling, Darrin brought hover soccer balls, and I brought army men and rubber bands (shoutout to my mama for the idea;)) the kids had so much fun! After games we got together and ate some homemade Posole!

(Fun fact, they leave the bones in the soup and you can sip the bone marrow out. Ofc I did it tho, you only live once… but never again😂) 

After that is when we went back to the field to try to get some more done. It’s cool to see all the progress we made but tension gets high when your outside for hours, covered in sweat and dirt, your body is aching, and you don’t always have all the things you need for the job. But we all worked together and made do. I was proud of myself for listening to my body and not pushing myself to far, since we still have 3 days left! 

I will admit tho, the second I saw a cockroach the size of a domino chasing towards me, I got all my energy back and I used it to run the other direction. Mind you there was prolly like 5 all at once! Plus a ton of fire ants. And as I was cleaning up leaves I saw that a roach was just chillin on the back of my shoe. I swear I was running off of hard work and dedication bc normal me would’ve freaked out but I just shook it off and watched it scurry away! But thinking back to it… 🤮 

But I didn’t let that Deter me from finishing the job! We got a lot more done and should be able to finish it up tomorrow! But after being out in the field for now 2 days in a row, they brought us out some homemade popsicles! And when we got back to the hotel they brought us some FRESH homemade coconut water. They even cut up the coconut and put it in a bag. 

Around this time is when everyone started winding down and relaxing for the night. 

Week 2 day 3

 

To start off the day we woke up and had a market kind of breakfast, with local cereals, and yogurts and fruits. We all ate while we did our morning devotional where we disgusted being able to focus past distractions! And those seemed to happen a lot today! Either during our devotional, or during a conversation! 

Afterwards we made our way around the corner to the main orphanage where they have the 6-10 ish boys and girls home. (This is the one we stopped by the other day. The church that built these orphanages has expanded throughout the years but I believe there’s about 14 homes. Mainly around each other but some are a good distance away) as we get there the kids start coming over to say there hellos and to see what we have planned for the day! 

As I was taking some pictures some of the kids noticed I had my camera and started asking for a “foto”. Whether that was them being photographed or them taking the photo! They were enthralled! As we made our way over we got them all set up for bingo! It was perfect for helping me get my feet wet with some simple little words! 

I had had some left over prizes that were used for bingo and the kids loved the slap bracelets! As the kids got tired of bingo we moved onto a game with many names but none come to mind rn. You tie a string to a balloon and tie the balloon to your ankle and you try to stomp on everyone’s balloons and win. 

And oh man did I underestimate the energy, dedication, and passion these kids had for this game😂 I was getting stomped on left and right, from people sneaking up behind me, to them acting like they were taking a break to just try to sneak attack me. But the excitement they got was so worth it! 

As some kids started getting out they went over and played pin the tail on the donkey. Once I got out I made my way around for some more photos and the kids followed😂 most of the pictures we got were taking by the kids. I just lined it up with my camera and hoped they turned out good! But the kids were amazing and proud and that’s all that mattered. 

After the kiddos got their energy out they had to go upstairs and study before going to school (fun fact: the kids don’t leave for school until about 1:30, and they don’t get back till about 7! Then they do their chores and go to bed) while the kids were studying we went over the projects that’s needs to be done. Some were welding, electrical wiring, sewing, painting and cleaning. 

My partner and I were asking to help clean up and area that they use for staff meetings but was current unusable because of the left overs from week 1 putting up a fence. After looking it over and coming up with a game plan my partner and I got to work. For 3 hours! After moving, sorting, raking, etc, a sweet kiddo brought us out some mango water to help us cool down, it hit just the spot! 

As we made our way back where we were meeting our group I saw some of the other girls in our group had a coke (which I have been meaning to try bc I guess they use real sugar instead of fake sugar like they do in the US). so we decided to go to the tiny grab and go like store just around the corner. As I got all my stuff and was waiting outside the door, there were two little boys in their school uniforms just observing us. So I broke my little donut in thirds and was given huge smiles in return. 

As we got back the kiddos were in their school uniforms and loading up on the bus, yelling goodbye as they ran by! So we all headed in to their dining room and had some fresh spaghetti and homemade popsicles! 

Afterwards I needed to walk around and I was going to take some more pictures but as I was doing that I saw this little boy playing in the dirt and I felt drawn to go say hi. So I kicked a ball over to him but he just shook his head. I asked if he wanted to play basketball or volleyball but he just shook his head in what seemed like disappointment. I finally just sit in the ground next to him and drew a tik tak toe board in the dirt, and his face lit up! 

After talking with him for a little bit, and asking why he wasn’t in school, it was bc he had gotten in a fight with someone at school and was suspended until tomorrow. He seemed again almost disappointed. But when I made a joke about him being strong and tough he laughed! It was such a simple yet sweet interaction that I hope to never forget and I hope to see him again before I leave. 

After everyone got done with lunch, I said goodbye to sweet Temu and made my way back over to the field where we would clear out all the garbage we piled up from the day. It’s hard not to love those moments of empowerment! Just two girls kickin ass! As we were tailgating back to the field after taking a load, we saw an IGAUANA run across the road. Supposedly they hang up in the trees! Now imma be nervous to stand under trees 😂 imagine an iguana just falling on you! 

Afterwards we were all hot, sweaty, dirty, cranky, tired, etc! We silently walked back to the hotel where we each showered and decompressed for about and hour and a half! We all eventually met up on the hotel balcony where we had our evening devotional and talked about plans for the rest of the night. Mind it was already 7! I was already exhausted and sore. But I’m so grateful I went because it was the best way to end the night! 

We eventually loaded all into the cram mobile and drove about 10 minutes to the middle school girls home where we’d be doing dinner and some games! The setup was so cute! They set up some tables and hung lights, across the street from their house on a little median in the road. 

Some of the girls slowly made their way out where we had some picture sticker books waiting. I was sitting at the head of the table next to three of the girls so I started asking them some questions! It was so cute how they would laugh at eachother or with eachother at me! (That was definitely an adjustment😂) we talked about favorite animals. One of the girls said she loved koalas so ofc I had to show her my favorite koala video. Iykyk. They asked if I was married and I asked if they were and they all started laughing and saying yes! They asked how old I was, I asked how old they thought I was and then said 40 and started laughing! I told em if I was 40 then I looked good😋 we talked about boy bands and music, school and  celebrity crushes. 

We eventually rolled over into uno where the girls loved laying down skips and draw twos! The excitement they get to see the shock on your face was priceless. We were eventually treated to pizza from little Caesars (sm better then US little Caesars) I later found out they put ketchup on there pizzas so ofc I had to try it. Their ketchup is a little sweeter tho! As the night went on and it started getting later we squeezed in a quick game of Saran wrap! As they were pulling it apart, seeing how excited they got for the prizes that were falling out, made it all worth it! 

As we wrapped up the fun night, we all joined hands as we said a prayer in English and in Spanish. I might have only just met them but I felt so torn to leave

One thing I want to leave with you, is something that stuck from my devotional today! 

What can you do to help avoid distraction and focus on what god is trying to teach or tell you? 

Week 2 day 2

I went with part of our group to the gas station up the road to go for our “daily coffee run” to the “hugs and kisses gas station”! it’s such an adjustment to see 20 for coffee but then doing math and realizing it’s only a dollar. It’s a mix of excitement cause it’s so cheap but also confusion 😂 on our way back to the hotel we saw a bus with kids from the orphanage making their way to the morning sermon! (Fun fact: the church is also the school that the kids go to so they are constantly surrounded by god and his teachings which I love)  

Then we had our morning devotional as a team where we talked about gods truth being the same worldwide. We then made our way to the hotel restaurant where I had some amazing fresh squeezed orange juice and chicken chilaquiles! 

We then all piled into the 16 seater van (there’s 16 of us so it’s perfectly crammed😂) and made our way to church! They had a little coffee stand, there was a band up on the stage, and kids runnings around, it felt just like Centerpoint! And As we were walking in everybody was going up and hugging our leaders Dan and Steve. 

After being able to partake in communion with the congregation, there’s one thing I know for sure and thats that the spirit is universal! The way I felt the spirit without understanding what was being said and fully based off of feeling is what some might call magic! 

They had invited our group to stand up where the congregation applauded for us. We then proceeded onto the sermon that was given by their amazing Pastor Pablo! From what google translate picked up, he was talking about how god will try speaking to you in ways that might require to listen and not just being there waiting! Sometimes it’s about the effort to want to learn more, and how if there’s no effort it’s easier to be persuaded by the opposing side! 

As time went on and Pastor Pablo was wrapping up we noticed some members made their way to the front, where other members went up and embraced them, either in a hug or a simple hand hold. They proceeded to pray for them! Seeing the way they were there for eachother, consoling eachother. Up at the front, in front of everyone! It’s was truly breathtaking! 

As the sermon wrapped up we all made our way around, eventually took a group photo! To where then we loaded back up in the crammed wagon and went to a local fresh market where we picked up some stuff for dinner and tomorrows breakfast! Anytime we go in somewhere we’re suppose to travel in groups of 2. 

We made our way around, found some cool stuff and eventually met back at the front where we then loaded back up and went to the main orphanage that’s right around the corner from our hotel. 

We only had about 10 minutes before grabbing the caregivers and taking them out to lunch. As we all unloaded the kids RAN over! Having been around kids for most of my life I didn’t think I’d be overwhelmed. Seeing the kids run up to Dan, Steve, and the other people who have been there in the past, To see the excitement on their faces, and the love that they have for them was so heartwarming, comforting, and admirable, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have to sneak away and let out a tear or two. 

In those moments the only thing I could manage to do was take it all in.

After we gathered all the caregivers we loaded into the cars and made our way onto the bumpy and windy roads  and up a mountain where wed be dining near a local, and very active volcano! Who else can say they dined at a restaurant near an active volcano 😱

I never thought I’d be intimidated by so much food but oh man! I swear I sat there staring at the plate of food for a good 5 minutes before realizing I only live once!😂

After getting stuffed to the brim some of us started walking around and taking pics of the volcano. one of the Mexico leaders wive invited us to go into the field next to the restaurant where they had roaming cows! 

We took some more pics as everyone else eventually made their way over so we took some group photos. Steve mentioned there was market going on in the town over in comala, So we said our goodbyes and made our way down. 

Driving thru comala and seeing all the cobble stone roads, and walking into the town square seeing all the booths, people, music and culture that was there, I couldn’t help but get excited! 

As we start looking around and I start shopping for souvenirs I start to notice and feel all the eyes on us from the locals. As we were inside shops I quickly noticed there was always someone watching and following closely behind. I had never been in a situation like this but I quickly understood it was just precautionary and not because we were foreigners. 

I had to stop and try the highly recommended chocolate ice cream! The gentlemen was very helpful, patient and kind as I tried my best to understand and properly answer! The nice thing with these markets is that everyone is so kind, they’ll say hello and good afternoon, and all I had to do was repeat it back. It gave my brain a break for a minute😂

We couldn’t help but go into the cathedral that was there and I have no words. The beauty and craftsmanship speaks for itself! 

After finding some good stuff, getting some great pictures, and taking some time to admire the beauty, we all loaded back into the cram mobile and made our way back to the hotel. we started closing out the night with our nightly devotional, and we went over tomorrows plans. Nothing like getting clean after tons of sunscreen and ineffective bug spray. 👍Tomorrow I’ll be doing my Saran Wrap game with the kids so I spent some time prepping that and the 3000 small fidget toys I ordered for it!

Cool stuff I saw today! 

A dog riding on a bike standing on its hind legs and its paws on the handle bars! 🐶🚲

Um.. a volcano! 🌋

A cow🐮

Got a small tour of the orphanage!