The Lord has been working on flexibility and interruptibility with me this month. Our original schedule has been changed and switched around every day this week. We have only done a few things on the list, however, I have learned to embrace whatever the Lord decides to do with our team each day.
One day Callie, Tori and I taught English to a group of 2-9 year olds. Going into the lesson, we weren’t sure how much English they knew, which we learned quickly that they knew very little. We taught the letters A, B and C. With each letter, we taught common words the kids would know for those letters (example: apple, ball, corn). The kids wrote the words down (if they could) and drew a picture for each one. We followed this with a drawing/art time. We practiced colors as they drew and colored. Then Callie and I read two different books to the kids—learning new English words and reviewing some of the words we already shared. For our second break we played Duck, Duck, Goose outside. The kids had a blast playing and trying to outrun each other. We finished class with reviewing everyone’s names and our word list (saying the Spanish word then asking them to say the equivalent English word). I loved being back inside of the classroom setting, enjoying the smiles and excitement for life on all of the kids’ faces.
Several days have been spent organizing the center (although we thought we would be teaching crafting and jewelry classes). The organization time added to our benefit though—we now know what materials we have to use to teach the crafting and jewelry classes with. And the organizational side of me is so excited for them to have their supplies organized and available for future meetings.
Callie and I sorted through the jewelry supplies, including color coordinating all of the buttons. And we were able to create a couple of ideas/samples for future classes. While we worked on the jewelry items, Tori sorted through tons of fabric pieces that the sewing class will use for their projects. We have also sorted through threads, more buttons, medicines, and kitchen cabinets (food supplies and cooking/baking utensils and supplies).
Also, two of the afternoons we helped the organization with letters. Their organization sponsors children in a couple of nearby villages. They had the children with their parents come into the center to write Christmas letters for their sponsors. The children wrote their letter then colored the pictures and then had a photograph taken for their sponsor to have an updated picture of them. Our team helped the younger children who are not in school yet to write their letters. It was fun to meet so many different children from the area, and to see their attention to detail as they wrote their letters and wanted them to look amazing for their sponsors.
Working with the center this week, we have had the opportunity to serve in a variety of other ways including weeding the fields, clearing the greenery around one of the buildings, washing tables and chairs, getting to know the girls who live next door, and translating school supply lists.
We ended the week with deconstructing a house. Our night guard and his family are adding to their house and can recycle this wood to add onto their current house. As the guys tore down the building, Tori and I carried the pieces to the back of the truck. I did have a thought—I never thought I would deconstruct anything on the race, but instead construct things. It was an interesting perspective change—to see the need and usefulness of deconstructing the building, to then be used in a new way.
Continue to pray for our team, the Benditos, as we love and serve this community. Pray for wisdom and direction as we have the opportunity to reach out to a group of interns at the center, a group of men at the construction sites, many students who attend the English classes, and whomever God puts in our paths. Pray for our hearts to be open to share His hope and love with them, even if it is a simple as a good morning and a smile.
Con mucho amor
