The morning group did more playing. They are shy and don't like to talk a lot. The afternoon group did a lot of sharing. They really opened up their hearts and dug deep. It was exactly what each group needed.
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| Naun and Oscar |
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| Circle of trust |
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| Trust fall |
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| Fabiola and Eli |
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| Playing tanks |
So we went directly to the team member and I explained that Dilma would like to pray for her. The strangest part is that Dilma is very shy. She is not usually outgoing. Even in the classroom sometimes she covers her face when she talks.
But today God took away her timidness and she listed to Him when He asked her to pray for Andrea, the team member. She said a beautiful prayer, which I translated for Andrea. Then the two hugged and held each other for a while. Andrea was very, very moved. She told me she has Parkinson's Disease. She said that her disease is nothing compared to what these kids face on a daily basis.
After lunch we went to visit a lady named Maria at her house. She is one of two who were chosen by the church to go to beauty school. She lives in what a North American would call a shack. It was three full walls of wooden planks with holes between the wood. The fourth wall had a door and a window with nothing to cover it. I imagine when it rains hard the whole house has to be wet since the boards didn't touch and there was nothing over the window. I also worry about safety. Maria lives there with her 2 sons. Anyone could crawl in that window. Now I understand why some days the kids tell me they could not come to Buen Provecho because someone had to stay at home in the house. Maria is blessed that her sister-in-law lives above her and her mother lives below her, so that provides some safety.
The home was one room. It did have a cement floor. And one bed and the cushion of a chair on the floor. The walls were covered with what looked like paper bag or something similar. But the whole place felt so cozy because her son's art work was carefully hung across every wall. Maria definitely puts a lot of love and care into her home. I didn't see a place to cook or any evidence of food. I am hoping maybe they prepare food at her mother's home.
It was so interesting because Maria said that she was very grateful for the basket of food we brought but kept emphasizing that what she was even more appreciative of was the love she felt through the church and through the people visiting her home. She explained she has felt very alone, even to the point of taking her own life. She has no way to provide for her two sons and cannot find work.
We prayed that her circumstances will change. I feel very hopeful since she will be able to cut hair and paint nails after she finishes beauty school. Without knowing any of this, I gave her a towel today. She needed it for her class because they are washing and blow drying hair. She does not own a towel.
Her oldest son is in my class. He is very quiet and to be honest he often does not pay attention. He is one of the students who is progressing least. I am hoping that by visiting his home and getting to know him and his family on a different level, that might change.
I received one of the highest compliments I can imagine receiving today. I asked the youth pastor from K2 for feedback after two days in the classroom with me and the teens. He said that he believes we are doing exactly what we should be. He said by investing in relationships with these kids I am giving them all they need to learn how to grow and how to be successful. He said he can see that the kids and I have a good relationship and they are listening and learning. To hear that felt amazing.
Eunice keeps saying every day that it is nice to see me so happy "with my people". I know she realizes I have been down lately. I think she wants to support me on my good days by saying positive things like that..
Well, as usual it is pouring rain.. The team was more tired today, I noticed. One girl has had a headache for over 24 hours and today it was really hurting her to the point where she couldn't eat and was just lying on the cement floor of the church. I told Robin I think that happens at least once every time a team comes to visit. Poor Kacy is usually full of energy, but today she was definitely suffering. Also one of the kids drank the tap water at the retreat where they are staying. Better than drinking the tap water in the city, but still not the best idea. His stomach was a little off today, but he seemed okay. They have antibiotics and stomach pain medicine if he starts getting diarrhea. And of course there is always Dr. Gustavo. Thank God for Dr. Gustavo.
It was pretty awesome to see God's hand touching so many people today, including me. Nothing has changed as far as the things I am struggling with, but it sure is nice to have some positive people around, being cheerful and doing happy things. I am enjoying every minute with the K2 team, even more than I hoped I would.
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| Kim and Junior |
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| Some climb mountains, Carlos climbs people |
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| Hugs |
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| Jovi with Tania |
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| Eli taking a sselfie with Kebelin |
