For those who have been to Rancho Agua Viva before I am pleased to announce a new aspect to their short term mission trip experience. They have now included a set of courses called "Mexico 101" while we are here. The set of courses is designed to give our group a bit of history about Mexico. The different sessions teach about religion, politics, and culture. Today's lesson was taught by Jose Luis Martinez. Along with his wife Nora, he is a missionary to the people of Mexico and wants to reach the people who have not experienced the gospel. He is very passionate and has dedicated his life to helping others.
The lesson happened after dinner. We were treated to a more traditional Mexican meal. Quesadillas, refried beans, guacamole, and salad with all the fixin's were on the menu tonight. We ate heartily and enjoyed everything. Well, some of us more than others. The salsa they had out was making fire shoot out of the mouths of some of the more inexperienced. I believe they call it "mild". We all ate gratefully following a day of loads of activities.
The day started at Pan de Vida and we were greeted by about 30 enthusiastic kids eager to have some fun. We had 16 people ready to help them do it. The church is completely transformed from what I saw it last. The four cement block walls that gave way to sky last time we were here now had a roof and a room attached where we held church services last time. That's the room that does not have any kind of roof...yet.
We sang and danced with the kids and then helped them make crafts out of beads and lanyards. The original plan had a fatal flaw so we reevaluated, changed a few things, and all of the kids walked away with at least one cross out of carefully chosen colored beads. A few of them asked if they could make another for their mother. Of course you can! We did a great job communicating with the help of our coordinator from the rancho and our translator Paola from Ensenada. It turns out the sound effect "whoosh" is part of the universal language when describing how to put the beads on and then move them down the lanyard quickly. When everyone was done we played games and ate snacks until it was time for them to go. We were told to expect many more tomorrow and we prepared accordingly.
Following lunch we cut out crosses, tore tissue paper, cut strips of tape, measured laminating paper, and glued Popsicle sticks. We are ready for many more children tomorrow and are pleased to say it's exciting to see these friendly happy faces. The more the merrier. We are going to sing more songs tomorrow. They were a little sad that we only had one ready to go. We won't make that mistake again. We were able to do some extra preparation because the roof work that we needed to do was dependent on a beam that hadn't been placed yet. Once that got into place the real work portion of the day began. Playing with kids was, well, child's play compared to what came next. Our task, and we'd already accepted it, was to take 25 or so 20 foot beams and place them in place for a roof of this new room. The process was to have several of us carry these incredibly long and incredibly heavy 4 x 6 beams over to the outside edge of the wall. They then tilted the beams, slid them up high in the air and then let them fall in a controlled way where some of the taller members of the team, standing on folding chairs, were ready to catch them and put them into place. No worries parents. The catching was done by the leaders. We got done placing all the beams in about a quarter of the time I thought it would have taken and the real construction people now had the task of securing all the pieces into place.
Tomorrow will be an interesting day.
Also....I have asked if any of the kids would like to share their experiences with the blog...Two have said they wanted to. Keep posted to see which ones!
The lesson happened after dinner. We were treated to a more traditional Mexican meal. Quesadillas, refried beans, guacamole, and salad with all the fixin's were on the menu tonight. We ate heartily and enjoyed everything. Well, some of us more than others. The salsa they had out was making fire shoot out of the mouths of some of the more inexperienced. I believe they call it "mild". We all ate gratefully following a day of loads of activities.
The day started at Pan de Vida and we were greeted by about 30 enthusiastic kids eager to have some fun. We had 16 people ready to help them do it. The church is completely transformed from what I saw it last. The four cement block walls that gave way to sky last time we were here now had a roof and a room attached where we held church services last time. That's the room that does not have any kind of roof...yet.
We sang and danced with the kids and then helped them make crafts out of beads and lanyards. The original plan had a fatal flaw so we reevaluated, changed a few things, and all of the kids walked away with at least one cross out of carefully chosen colored beads. A few of them asked if they could make another for their mother. Of course you can! We did a great job communicating with the help of our coordinator from the rancho and our translator Paola from Ensenada. It turns out the sound effect "whoosh" is part of the universal language when describing how to put the beads on and then move them down the lanyard quickly. When everyone was done we played games and ate snacks until it was time for them to go. We were told to expect many more tomorrow and we prepared accordingly.
Following lunch we cut out crosses, tore tissue paper, cut strips of tape, measured laminating paper, and glued Popsicle sticks. We are ready for many more children tomorrow and are pleased to say it's exciting to see these friendly happy faces. The more the merrier. We are going to sing more songs tomorrow. They were a little sad that we only had one ready to go. We won't make that mistake again. We were able to do some extra preparation because the roof work that we needed to do was dependent on a beam that hadn't been placed yet. Once that got into place the real work portion of the day began. Playing with kids was, well, child's play compared to what came next. Our task, and we'd already accepted it, was to take 25 or so 20 foot beams and place them in place for a roof of this new room. The process was to have several of us carry these incredibly long and incredibly heavy 4 x 6 beams over to the outside edge of the wall. They then tilted the beams, slid them up high in the air and then let them fall in a controlled way where some of the taller members of the team, standing on folding chairs, were ready to catch them and put them into place. No worries parents. The catching was done by the leaders. We got done placing all the beams in about a quarter of the time I thought it would have taken and the real construction people now had the task of securing all the pieces into place.
Tomorrow will be an interesting day.
Also....I have asked if any of the kids would like to share their experiences with the blog...Two have said they wanted to. Keep posted to see which ones!
Loved reading the blog and seeing the pictures you posted as well. Thanks for keeping us updated!
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