Monday Afternoon/Evening

After a HUGE lunch.....(we were always fed very well.....) the guys went back to the site to "dig"and some of the girls stayed back to plan for a Bible school for the kids Alba has been trying to reach. Who is Alba you ask? Alba is a permanant fixture in the household. She worked very hard to make our stay comfortable...along with the other ladies. I believe she is Nieves and Nardos housekeeper. (Nieves and Nardo are both pastors but we are working on Nieves church....they were our host everytime we've been there. Their house was built onto just for house missonaries.)

Alba is also Jessi's best friend here other than Wilber. They bonded from day one of the first trip here. They both share the same middle name-Iris.....which means....rainbow in spanish (I THINK). So all pics with them are named Alba Iris and Jessica Iris....ALL of them....LOL......

Back to Bible school.... we went to a empty lot inbetween 2 houses in a neighborhood we've not seen before. I think this is Alba's target area. (she is studing to be a pastor) In this empty lot, the kids brought thier own chairs and were waiting for us to come. We had a good handful.....ok, 2 handfuls...maybe more....of kids(remember...there is always more....always)

We were greated with songs....lots and lots of songs.... Dave got a little carried away and joined in one.....ummm I was caught off guard so I don't have a picture of it....(darn). Then...it was OUR turn and we sung back. We sung a song even the kids knew, but they knew it differently. Katie spent most the afternoon with Jessi trying to translate this song to have them take over and sing it for us.....I felt for all the work they did, but it was pretty awesome....thou our languages are different.....it really isn't. Our love for God is the same...and it showed through all of the music we sang together.

After we sang, we colored. Yeah, well, the kids liked it. Each child got 2 crayons and shared with each other. They colored everywhere and anywhere. Even on an old abondended, broken down car...they were all over it. They will make due with anything. I was amazed at the resiliance of how these kids loved everything and anything, no matter how simple, or difficult. They would make the situation work. The end of the Bible school we handed out Beanie Babies. They are so LOVED here. These aren't collectors items...they are loved and well played with beanies. A good life for the beanies will be had here.

Salvadore (our constant driver and friend) picked us up...and others...(remember...always more) and dropped kids off on the way back to our "home". He made one extra stop....sent a kid to a house and waited. We didn't know what we were waiting for.....he came back with a cardboard home. You know, like the model church shown on day one....this was of a home. He had made it. I guess that is his "Art". Then he gave it to me. I was so shocked....I was speechless. I wondered why he gave me such a wonderful thoughtful gift. One created by HIS hands. He said because we are one in Christ....I was so moved.....still am.....As hard as it was to get home.....I got it home. I will have a picture of it in the end with the other pictures. I don't have one now...but it is worth seeing.

After arriving home, we all kicked back. We had a light dinner and Ed, Jen and I played cards. We were all pretty tired. The sun just zaps your energy....Because of our tiredness....we got gitty and had a good hard belly laugh....I don't even remember why....but....it sure felt good.

I just love it here. I love the people, I love everything about being here. Our team was learning about each other each day...you know...this was such an awesome trip.