Finding God

Even before the sun, we began our morning devotions, waking at 6:27 to meet as a group at 6:30 and then after a short song, split off for individual devotions. As much as 6:30 was an early wake-up as I swung my feet over the side of the bed, I’ve realized that my day is a lot, although not perfectly, smoother when I begin it with prayer, reading, and listening.

After devotions, breakfast, and getting supplies ready, our group split into four groups: VBS, House Construction, Fence Construction, and Teaching English. I headed to VBS, as it is my and Amanda’s senior projects. There, we began with a drama but also sang, colored, did globos (balloons), and loved on the kids. With the coloring, I had a blast saying a bunch of wrong animals, while the kids corrected me, and then finally saying the right one. And of course, with the balloons, we made swords and fought.
After VBS, which only lasted an hour, my crew headed back to the hotel, changed, and split up to go to different construction spots. As I look back right now, I see how much of a miracle it is that God chose to send me to the house construction because I was supposed to be going to the other spot but got changed last minute.

At the house, we were given the job of digging a trench about 30 centimeters high and 50 centimeters wide where we’d put a foundation for a 10 by 15 foot house. At first, the men were extremely hesitant for any woman to shovel, so we held the bags that would be filled with dirt. However, after getting to know the guys, I picked up a shovel and got to work. We finished most of the trench, and by the next morning, the workers had finished it (cause they stayed an hour after us). While there, though, Ryan and I really got to know one of the guys: Alberto, who’s 18. The other workers are very nice and bear with my Spanish. God seems to guide my tongue, and I’ve been somewhat of our groups translator at this site, which is so much fun.

Today ended with the normal: free time, dinner, and devotions. But after work, as we walked back along the cobbled road to the hotel, I saw 3 girls sitting on the next to the fountain near the main building of the hotel. These girls were shy but opened up quickly. We played hand games, It Tag, and then took them to a room to dance and perform the dramas.