Where to begin? As I write this, I’m currently surrounded by a jumping excited crowd of teens and adults, all hopped up on the spiritual release of a hard week+ of work and an emotional outdoor service in “the field” of El Brisal. Or, maybe it’s the ice cream that’s getting forced into everyone …regardless, there is one rip-roaring celebration going on here at the orphanage. It’s not even dampened by the frequent flips on and off of the power grid here in San Pedro. Well, that’s how things are finishing, but back to the start:
We trekked (O.K. rode the bus) out to the work site ready to paint…and paint…and paint. Prime the whole building, inside and out. Then a “cream color” for the interior (two coats). I’m saying it here, I’m not the best judge of color, but that was yellow. A pale island yellow, but yellow none the less. A coral orange for the outside of the building, with a starkly contrasting dark green for the front-facing facade. A building that stands out, but also fits in a truly local and Caribbean style. Other than the electrical and tile on the main floor…the building is done (hmmm, maybe windows and doors will be required too, eventually. At lunch I broke out a supply of balls and a pump that I had brought to leave in El Brisal at the school, but of course we had to break them in, didn’t we? It didn’t occur to me, but should have, that we had to teach them to throw a (n American) football. And the littler ones who had not ever seen a game still wanted to kick around this crazy-looking “futbol” that doesn’t roll straight. But they sure knew exactly what to do with the playground and soccer balls. An extended bible story and craft followed and then everyone was back on-site to paint. A few of us then left with the Maestro to turn a pile of scrap wood into a 8’x16’ and 4’elevated stage for the evening’s La Campana gathering.
After dinner, and unfortunately few showers due to power failure most of the day, we headed to the field for La Campana. I could tell you that this is a gathering of all the different churches in El Brisal with their American brothers, to worship God in a variety of ways, including a slide show (which I turned Sue and Carla loose on my laptop with all the pictures to create), a welcoming blessing, some singing lead by “the Americanos” and then by the worship team from the blue church, a moving skit by our teens, a message by Mark (translated by Kristin), an alter call from Pastor Nellie, and a blessing from many of the pastors of El Brisal together. But that simply does not do justice the emotional spectacle that this annual gathering has become. Deep emotions come to the surface as we are moved by the spirit, get to worship with most of the children that hang out on the worksite daily, and we have to say goodbye for another year to friends we have grown close to. So, after all that, we came back to the orphanage for an ice cream social (and the intermittent power, and still no water for showers). I’m getting the feeling that this will be a long night, with potentially little sleep. The combination of wired emotional teens and failing power doesn’t bode well for this intrepid writer. That’s O.K., I’ll quote someone else and echo, “that’s O.K. I’ll sleep when I’m dead.” All kidding aside, I look forward to tomorrow and the trip that will ultimately bring me home to my family.
Summary:
-Last work day, I will miss it but my muscles and back won’t
-lost bags: 0 (found bags: 1)
-church services attended: 4
-days hard labor: 6
-infirmed: 2 (but now recovered. Praise God!), three others with symptoms but pharmaceutical intervention
-Children Carla has selected to take home to NJ: well, pretty much all of them
-Children Sue is disputing Carla’s claim on: I think she and Carla are going to work out a time share
-Children Michelle plans to bring home: 1 (I don’t think she’s willing to share with Sue or Carla)
-Children Lauren wants to take home: 1 (luckily, she was one of Sue’s early picks as well)
-Young boys Pastor Mark has selected to bring home: 9 (at least, for his baseball team)
-local boys watching us on the work site buck naked: 2 (but at least twice that many at VBS…)
-Local women taught basic sewing: more than 8
-Families treated: 150
-Wounds treated: hundreds
-Coming unions blessed: 1
-Beaches visited: 1
-Birthdays Celebrated: 4
-Nights with a power loss: 2 (but I’m betting tonight will make 3)
-Buildings FINISHED: 1!!
-Chickens moved in: 1 (I’m happy to report it decided not to stay)
-Clothes, shoes, socks, and sundries donated by mission team: One really big pile
-Missionaries BADLY in need of a shower: most (I won’t disclose more specifically, as we all need rides home from the airport)
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