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?
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