Monday thoughts

   We started the day with a breakfast all together but in silence, followed by painting two of the walls of the school that we've been helping out with in the afternoon.  The previous paintings had different items and their english words.  They had been there for two generations.  Alice and Ian took point on creating new designs for the walls, while others sanded and prepared the paint.  

   


(Scenes from painting)
   
   In the afternoon we had another opportunity to spend time with the kids, followed by some down time, dinner, a 'hot seat', and our evening liturgy.  Below are some more specific reflections from two students about different moments in the day...



(Teaching and of course....recess!)
  
A reflection on the solitude breakfast:
   We live in a world filled with hurry.  Thinking about the next step in one's pursuit in their career, the chase of news, the next trend, and next worry.  Rarely do we take a moment and be in the present, especially when surrounded by people.  There is this unsaid expectation to talk and be part of a conversation. 
   At breakfast, we were given the challenge of being silent and embracing the awkwardness.  Through this activity we saw that caring for others doesn't always have to include talking- using words- but actions...small acts of kindness.
   This idea of caring surpassing words has been shown during our time with Elizabeth and Nilton.  They have shown us love and care through their actions of hospitality, sharing their culture with us, and feeding us.  Moreover, our interactions with the kids have further proved that words and language should not hinder our ability or willingness to show care and love to others.

A reflection on service:
   While walking up to the school to paint, I noticed some of the mesh between fence posts was falling down, in addition to the door being broken, which I had noticed the day before.  Thinking to myself as I walked 'I wish I had somethiung to tie the mesh up with', I didn't think much more of it.  That is until I saw some old mangled baro wire stuck in the school window.  God provided!  I got a wire cutter and headed down to the fence.  Eventually Nilton, the husband of the family we are staying with, joined me and brought more tools.  It was fun to get to know him better too!  We are both the oldest in our families and both families have 3 girls and 3 boys.  I got to use my spanish while he practiced his english.  What I especially enjoyed from the experience was seeing a need and getting to put to use material that would have been useless otherwise.  What a cool opportunity to be a help.

Thanks for reading the blog today!  Check back tomorrow for more!
-Eliana and Rebekah (Allegheny)

Verse to ponder: 1 Cor 10:31- "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
Attribute of God: Provider/Faithfulness 


(Neighbor Rosita, bringing the group food from the market)


(Kids are always obsessed with hair....)