home for the night...

A quick update...

We've just finished a debriefing time w/Tim and the interns. The kids had alot of thoughts about their day...a few emotions as they're processing through the magnitude of all of the things they are seeing each day. Our lives are so different....and mostly in a convicting way. We've seen poverty and desperation in the faces and lives of the joyfilled people we've met in the last few days....poverty, desperation and joy. Something that is not lost on the kids or the leaders. More than one student mentioned how blessed they've felt as we've driven through and met some of the locals. (**A certain female student mentioned that she will never again complain about going to Walmart and seeing how dirty and disorganized things can be. Up to you to figure out if it was YOUR student....if I recall, she PROMISED to never complain again...you have it in writing!

Here's some pictures of our time at Hope House...

(the twins)

(the kids had the best time w/our cameras! The one on the right spent most of the time w/the camera pointing the wrong way, taking pics of himself instead of the person he thought he was shooting! He was so pleased with himself!)

Nick with the most adorable little girl! He was enamored by her!

(Halle gave the sweetest testimony about how the Lord has stood beside her while she lost a series of important people in her life. Tim translated in French for the kids....of all the kids with us, Halle was the most qualified to share her heart to kids that can understand what she has been through. They saw the testimony of a young lady who has chosen joy over sorrow in some really difficult situations. Sue...you'd have been so proud of her!)

(The Hope House next door neighbor)

(The boys are apparently gluttons for punishment, as they insist on playing soccer with these boys!!! I believe the score is 2-0...two games, zero wins! But, they did have fun!!! Nate B. mentioned tonight how cool it was to watch the local kids outside the Orphange looking in on the game and wishing they could be a part....they probably do not look upon these kids with envy on most days, but today they did.)

(Nick and Nate AFTER the soccer game that was played on red dirt! Mixed with sweat it makes a sort of clay on the legs!)

(Emma...this young girl made me think of you. She is 13 and lives at the Hope House because her parents have abandoned her. She had the most beautiful eyes, and though she was very shy, she lit up when asked what she enoyed doing. Reading. My heart went out to her...every little girl needs a mom to love her and show her how to become a young woman. I prayed while I sat next to her that someone would be that for her. I miss you Em, but am so thankful for you and all the joy that you bring to our family!)

The students were really moved by these kids and showed some emotion tonight when they talked about their thoughts for the day. The Lord is pricking their hearts in so many areas....they are being stretched and pulled in ways they did not expect. (It's 11pm here, but while I type, Nick, Jared, and Drew have come into the room to find some quiet to write in their journals....LOVE these boys!)

I'm sure the kids will want to check in here in the morning to see all of your comments, but this will likely be the last post until Monday. I think we are all actually excited about our trip to the JUNGLE. Our anxiousness has mostly been replaced with a sense of adventure- now that we've had details explained to us we feel a little more prepared. We're leaving here at 10am to head out to the village which is about 2 1/2 hrs away. The roads here are not anything like Rte 30...more like a 100yr old back lane on an Amish farmer's property! Some are paved, some are not...all have bigger potholes than Pendot would know what to do with!! I'm sure my mom is reading into that, and yes, mom, they all know I have permanent claim to one of the front seats!

Did I tell you before that the drivers over here are CrAzY?!?! Seriously, like nothing I've ever seen!!! I've had the privilege of sitting in the middle seat behind the driver of both our taxibus and Tim. They are EQUALLY as CrAzY!!! Surprisingly safe...but CrAzY!!! You would not imagine that so many cars could fit on the road at the same time. Let me clarify that...ALL of the cards are vying for their own space in the MIDDLE of the intersections...fully believing they have the right of way!!! All at the same time! The ride alone promises to be somewhat of an adventure for us!!! The next being the unpacking and hanging of 25 mosquito nets! Where??? Not sure, but they will be somehow rigged up in the trees above us so we can enjoy the beauty of the night sky and the sounds of the critters....for four nights!

Each of us is allowed to pack a small bag with 2 pairs of clothes (yes, for 4 days and we WILL be working and sweating in them, too!), a bathing suit (for bathing in the stream---it is clean!) pj's, and our bedding. (Tim gave us a little hint that we should put our sheets on in the jungle, and then be prepared to turn them inside out when we get back so we can use them again!!!!!!!!!!!! I KNOW you're laughing! Not funny!) We are definitely in for an adventure that is not likely to be repeated in any of our lives in the near future! I, for one, am excited to be a part...although I'm quite aware that SOME of the guys have a little plan up their sleeves to play the ole' rubber snake trick on the girls. (shh...I already told the girls the stupid rubber thing exists, so they are aware it's going to appear at some point! As I always say at home, the key is to NOT react...foils the plan every time!)

So....I'm now in the room alone...you have no idea how long it takes to upload these pictures! I'm doing 2 at a time....each set taking about 5 minutes! I'll take a second to say goodnight to my favorite 18 yr old who is keeping the house so clean and neat in my absence. I'm so impressed that he has washed and vaccumed my car as well as gone through the house and cleaned every single room to prepare for our arrival back home. Alex....what on earth did I do to deserve you?! Thanks, bud...I owe you! I love you!!!

(Jumpstart hanging out on the water filter)