The trip overall was a very emotional one. Tears would come when you least expected them and that was the case as we approached our first project visit on Sunday. We went to visit Buenas Nuevas Student Center (EC456) associated with the Good News Evangelical Center. As we drove up to the church, we saw all these children lined up, waving blue and white balloons, excited for their first Compassion visitors. . .us!
I practiced my limited Spanish along the receiving line: "Buenos dias" (good morning) before settling down in the church. There were greetings and introductions, and we were each presented with the gift of a wallet, which was so humbling, coming from people who don't have a lot. There was also singing and dancing, all for our visit. We joined their classrooms (kids come to the project a number of times a week, depending on their specific project and age) and served them a snack.
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| Thanks for taking this picture Robyn! |
Before serving lunch, we played games in the courtyard. When Anita, our translator, asked who wanted to be my partner for the three-legged race, I was swarmed by kids. But one girl in particular (pictured to the right) grabbed my hand and she didn't let go for most of our time together! Sorrowfully, we did not win the race but it was nice to find a friend, even though we couldn't speak the same language, we found out that smiles are universal!
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| Photo: Stephanie Ross |
There were about 250 kids, so serving lunch took some time. It was so nice to see that they got a substantial meal of potato soup, chicken, rice and vegetables. After lunch, we had some more time to play before the church service started so we pulled out jumping ropes, nail polish, bubbles, frisbees and sidewalk chalk. We stayed for part of the church service before they sent us off with prayers - certainly a lump-in-your-throat kind of moment. An emotionally exhausting day - the first of many this week!
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