Week Three Highlights

By Kent G. 

     Week 3 started out with some internet connection problems, which was an issue for Krista because she had a project due Sunday night (she’s working on her Master’s degree online). A new couple at the church heard what was going on and invited her to their place to use the wifi. As we didn’t know them well I tagged along to be safe. After all, I wouldn’t want to miss out on the glory of martyrdom!

Alas, they’ve turned out to be great people with wonderful hearts to serve God. They were very hospitable to us during the couple hour stay and Krista was able to finish what she needed to, which saved us a trip across the border, or a hunt for a decent internet cafe here.

     In addition to our typical routine with the kids we enjoyed a few special occasions this week. For one, Valentine’s Day fell on Tuesday. Here in Mexico it’s known as the Day of Love and Friendship. As Krista and I love all of our little niño friends, we made each of them a special goody bag filled with candy and a large wooden top.

   
   It was fun to see the kids’ faces light up when they opened their bags. They always love candy and it was special for them to have their name written on a toy that belonged especially to them, as opposed to being shared amongst the whole group. The tops are very popular here in Mexico and the kids wasted no time winding them up and showing us how to throw them, pick them up once they’re spinning, toss them in the air with the string while spinning, and other tricks. It was all quite impressive! After some time Krista learned to throw one, but mine still only spin upside down :(

     Tuesday evening the church hosted a Valentine’s Dinner, which made Krista and I feel right at home! We weren’t as involved in the preparations as we usually are at Lively Stone, and there wasn’t any theater, but they did have some live music and a fundraiser raffle! It made us chuckle and we enjoyed a nice meal and time spent with folks from here at the orphanage and around the community.

     At some point during this week a group from Montana arrived which meant Krista and I had to vacate the guest house across the street and move into the place being prepared for us above the girls’ dorm at the compound. They’d been working on the ‘apartment’ since before we were here in the summer. It consists of two rooms and a bathroom. As of yet, the bathroom is without a door, sink, or working shower. All minor details, I’m sure. We each have a bed and there’s a dresser between us. All in all, a nice space to sleep and retreat to when needed.

     For the most part the Montana team was busy with construction projects in Benjamin Hill and at the guest house across the street, but Saturday they took all of us from the orphanage to a special pizza dinner in Magdelena (a bigger town about half an hour away). The boys challenged each other to see who could eat the most slices and there was more than one stomach ache by the end of the evening. There may or may not have been some spitballs flying as well! This pizza trip is a tradition every time the Montana team comes and everyone here really looks forward to it. It’s nice to see the kids get out and experience more of the world than just the orphanage and Imuris.

     Thank you to everyone who’s been praying for us! We both battled upset stomachs this week (not to do with pizza night, mind you) and I struggled with severe back pain. In addition to the physical challenges we both wrestled some with our purpose in being here and adjusting to our roles. Also, reconciling our expectations with reality and working through some of the cultural challenges proved to be difficult. I for one was really missing home! So again, thank you for your prayers, and stay posted for highlights from Week 4