Kids are kids

How to describe our day... Everyone who is familiar with central American cultures keeps taking about being flexible and we need to just make things work with what you are given. We were given a warning that the first day getting nine teams and sixty people off to six different villages around the lake may be a bit chaotic. Apparently that involves Joel being left at the dock by his team, then taking a boat that went to a different village than where I was supposed to go. But God works for the best, and as He says he will give you the desires of your heart I ended up in the same place as Alayne and the children's ministry. So even though I managed to avoid getting in front of the groups of kids and dancing and singing it was a wonderful experience seeing our kids flourish in front of a bunch of Guatemalan kids, speaking Spanish, making them smile, making balloon animals, and just showing them they are loved.

I have to classify the best moment not the presentations for the kids, but after the morning group we had some down time when an empty water bottle turned into a soccer ball and suddenly a handful of neighborhood kids appeared. It was a great example of no inhibitions, kids just being kids, and cultural differences melting away. A soccer ball appeared from somewhere and someone from the church decided it probably wasn't a good idea to play soccer in the sanctuary (which really more resembled a gym for our kids). The back alleyway with hanging clothes and pots cooking lunch didn't quite seem enticing to the young players when one of the local dads appeared and said he would show us a much better soccer field. We walked as few blocks through alleyways that would make our inner city look nice and ended up in a large bright (dirt) soccer field. The kids fun promptly continued until everyone was to hot to continue (it was siesta time, after all) and conveniently there was a tienda (store) with ice cream right there. In the end the kids saw how most locals live, and were a beautiful example of loving your neighbor, regardless of looks, language, or geography. They truly showed the love of God and the pureness that shows how we are meant to be.

Quick side note: the local pastor we worked with asked Alayne: why is your kids Spanish so good? What a great compliment!