Today I changed it up and instead of working in the garden, I volunteered to work in Casa Samuel from 7:30-1. These kids have so much energy! It was a bit of a long shift but I enjoyed every minute of it. When I got in there they were just done with showers so most of the girls needed to get their hair done. It turned into an assembly line of shower, clothes, then come to me or another team member to brush, braid or put your hair up in some way. Occasionally you'd have to chase a child and I couldn't always tell if we were playing a game or if they were just fearful of the new gringos.
We spend most of the day outside playing on the playground and swinging each other on the huge swing hanging from a tree. The campus at Casa Bernabe is spectacular, I can't wait to put some pictures up! There was one girl in Casa Samuel that is completely deaf and it was encouraging to see the children surround her and help her understand what was going on. She is excellent at reading lips and has a great memory so for the most part, she is pretty self-sufficient. By the time 1 o'clock came, the kids were tired and hungry and as we waited for lunch to be ready- we mustered up a little more energy for some classic ballroom dancing in the living room. They really are so sweet and up for anything, they just want to be loved and have fun!
It was a full day. The kids had a big soccer game at the field by the school, some of the teenage boys from the team even played in it. It was exciting to watch and most of the kids came so we were able to play 4 sqaure and other games with them as well.
At devotionals that night, we talked a lot about some things that were on our mind. Many of us were blown away by the state of the kids and how joyful they were. We knew that if the kids were at the orphanage, they did not come from a good circumstance- but yet they continued to love on strangers and their house parents and siblings. We talked about a lyric to a song that prays for God to break our hearts for what breaks His and to know that Gods heart breaks is overwhelming- He is truly such a loving God but also He is a God that can redeem every situation and that is what has happened at Casa Bernabe.
"In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling." Exodus 15:13
