We came, we played, we conquered…. well in 2 events…
Last Friday, Team H.O.P.E. partook in an event that called for all kids of the Aninuan Community to play in 10 events of craziness. There were 6 different teams for each one of us World Racers and my team name was the Mighty Gorilla, Sara's- Tigre (tiger), Ann's- Kabayo (horse), Peter's- Raging Panda, Fisch's- Gagamba (spider), and Francis'- Leon (lion). The games consisted of carrying children in a hammock as they were carried up/down a "mountain" – funny thing, these Filipino kids were all laughs going up/down the really steep hill that Francis, Peter and I helped made for the Festival; whereas, us team leaders took our time because by the time we got to the top we were literally out of breath and going down was scary but off they went running down…crazy- picking strangely fat worms by the toes, limbo in a blown up pool, play soccer with a really big ball that you don't actually kick unless you're desperate to get that ball to your side, tossing your sandals in hoola hoops using your feet, filling a bucket with as much sand as the team can in 2 minutes, lying down on the ground head-to-stomach saying 'Ha' in correspondence to whatever number you are in line without laughing, a rope game that my team didn't get to play, some game with a beach ball and floaties, and lastly sumo using donut floaties. The games went to continue Sunday after church service and winners were called. Each team won 2, my team won the Sumo game and for the most hardwork, and Sara's team won 4.
It was a pretty intense festival, but it was SO incredible to see Jesus in the children's laughter, smiles, performance, conversations, encouragement to teammates, and just being with one another. Aside from feeling very tired as the night went on, I was very humbled to be with each and everyone of the kids because of His presence in the pure joy that the children showed. It was phenomenal!
