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Earlier this week we journeyed into a village; and I do not recall the name of the village. We were there all day playing with the kids and installing water filters.  I think this could possibly be my favorite day so far on the trip. The two houses we installed the filters in were in the same village.  When we arrived at the first house the children were a little standoffish.  We have been told that in some villages the children are told that white people will eat your hearts.  So maybe that is why they were a little timid.  However, within a short period of time trust was established and we were playing our brains out.  It is sad, yet exciting that the best toy we had for the day were three liter bottles filled with small rocks.  It is amazing that even though I hardly speak any Spanish that I can bring joy to a child.  We must have played “swords” for at least an hour.  The children were all smiles and their joy brought me tremendous joy!  

 

While we were at the first house the mother was kind enough to prepare tamales for each one of us. You may think to yourself that this is no big deal, but there is a good chance that this was far exceeding of their food budget.  This family was a DIRT poor Mayan family that had a tin structure as their home.  I am certain there was no way they could afford to provide lunch for us in the manner they did.  They were also kind enough to bring us a cold unopened three liter bottle of Pepsi.  It really amazes me how much these people value friendship over material things.  All I could think was this would never happen in America!  In the US we stockpile money for ourselves!  We take every opportunity to build our own castle and hopefully a kingdom to pass along to our children.  I do not want to over imply this is a bad thing.  It is good to pass along a blessing to children; it is nice to have comfort.  I was simply amazed at the stark contrast in the two cultures.   

Back to the story, I was sad when we had to leave for lunch because I was having a tremendous time with the kids.  Luckily for me we were returning to the same village only one house down after lunch. After lunch we returned to the village and began installing the second filter.  Within five minutes of us being there the same boys were running back toward me.  

 

He had seen me and then he ran home to get the “game.” Although he did not understand me… when I saw him I told him it was on like “Donkey Kong”.  We battled for at least another hour.  At one point in time we were beating each other with the water bottles and he was just singing.  I asked my friend Kelsey what he was singing and she told me.  He was singing, “were fighting, were fighting” and it just made me laugh so hard.  This little kid was having the time of his life having a bottle fight (honestly so was I).  I realized that there is something in a man that just loves war, battle, playing, just being alive.  It is so interesting to find myself still a child no matter where I go.  

     

There are more photos here!
http://picasaweb.google.com/bbaldwin.g1

We are leaving for Nicaragua today and will not have as much internet access.  We love you and miss you!