Marcela and I started walking every day. We walk up toward La Tigra. It is beautiful. Today we had to turn around because some guy on a motorcycle drove up behind us really close, going too slow, then his motorcycle stopped a few feet in front of us. We weren't sure what was going on, so we turned around.
I told Marcela we need our own truck. This morning as I pulled out of the gate to go to the church there was a truck with its blinkers on following two people walking up the road. Probably private security. Many people here have their own personal body guards.
It feels great to get some exercise, see more of the area where I live, and spend time with Marcela. So far every night as soon as we get home, thunder and lightening rolls in and it starts to rain. Thus far we have made it without getting wet.
Marcela and I also met in the city this afternoon for sushi. It was 2 for 1 so we ordered four rolls and paid for two. Yummy!
The kids learned a new bible verse today in the preschool class. And two of them pooped in their pants. You gotta take the good with the not so good, right? Wow, that classroom was stinky!
I am trying a new approach to my itchy scalp. After doing some research on the internet I learned that a certain chemical that makes shampoo more foamy can cause allergies in women 20-45. So, I had to buy some special, organic shampoo today. I hope it makes a difference. Or maybe I don't. That shampoo was awfully expensive.
Clara had her baby. It is a boy, which is nice because she has two girls. The baby only weighs 3 pounds. It was at 35 weeks of gestation I heard today. I thought she was not that far along. I spoke to her this morning. She said the baby is on antibiotics, but she is not clear why. She was going to find out more at 11 when the doctors did rounds. I tried calling several times after that, but there was no answer. Phones don't always work well in that hospital. We believe Gabriel Isaac will be healthy. I will send out an email when I have more details. Clara will continue to need prayer because she has Leukemia and was supposed to be receiving chemotherapy all of this time.
I will attend my first Quinceñera in two weeks. One of the girls from the Breakfast Program, Kenia, is turning 15. She is having a big party at the church and I am on the guest list. Kenia is a very sweet girl who can be kind of needy and insecure. This will be a great experience for her - to be the center of attention in a big, positive way. Even all of the preparation time is good for her. She is basking in all of the attention.
Lorenzo and I had class today for the first time in a couple of weeks. He started getting psychological therapy from a lady at the church. Since that day he stopped coming to the Breakfast Program. Or he comes and leaves really fast. Today I asked him if he wanted to have class. He did. I sharpened two brand new pencils and we each wrote a story. It was fun. Tomorrow we are going to illustrate the stories. Hopefully that will encourage him to come back.
Lorenzo's regular buddy, Jarvin, wasn't at the Breakfast Program today so Lorenzo chose a different friend. The boy he chose is a year younger, but they are in the same class. With Jose as his buddy, Lorenzo gets to be the leader - the smarter one. They both struggle, but Lorenzo struggles a little less. It is great for Lorenzo to have Jarvin with him, but I also see benefits to having Lorenzo bring Jose. Good for self esteem. I hope they both come tomorrow!
I realized today that I haven't followed up in a long time about Isabel and her daughter Ashley. They showed up a couple of months ago and Isabel began working in the kitchen. Isabel is struggling to keep a roof over their head and feed herself and her daughter. They both now come almost every single day. Isabel is a really hard worker. She is very quiet and extremely private. We encourage her to open up, but she is closed tight.
Ashley is in my preschool class. She is almost non-verbal. But she is smart. She is also very stubborn and can be aggressive toward other kids. Being at the church is really good for her socialization. Today I was helping her finish her soup. She was excited to see duck on the bottom of her bowl. I said the word for duck (pato). She copied the vowel sounds. That was a first. Maybe Ashley will be talking soon!
