St John's Diary

 We arrived Sunday night to a dark camp full of anticipation. This was going to be a stretch for all of us, but we knew we could do it with God's help.
 (Monday) we prepared for the arrival of the niños and started to build a roof on the tool shed. Right before lunch time we got the word that the niños would be here any second! It seemed like an eternity, but finnaly the bus pulled up! We ran to greet the niños and carried their things to their living quarters. Then we had a short, bi-lingual orientation to the camp and its rules. Then, the moment we had been waiting for came - we were able to meet the niños that were ours for the next five days! After that we had a few minutes to get to know our niño(s), then lunch was served and as always, the amigos (us) served our niños.
 After lunch we began the VBS program that we had been preparing. This program consisted of games in the field, crafts, Bible exploration, watching a short video and singing songs. All of these focused on a theme and were completely in Spanish. Monday's theme was "Jesus es nuestra vida!" which means "Jesus is our life!" Then the niños had time to shower and we were able to have some down time before dinner. After dinner, we had time to play with our niños before we went our separate ways for campfire. At the campfire we were able to reflect on the day and regroup. And before we knew it we were getting ready for bed and looking forward to Day 2!
 (Tuesday) our VBS theme is "Jesus es nuestro lider!" which means "Jesus is our leader!" The niños will learn about Jesus calling the disciples to follow Him at Bible exploration, make picture frames for a photo of them and their amigo, play games, keep up with "Chadder the Chipmunk" in the video and continue to sing songs about Jesus' love!
 After breakfast the amigos continue to work on the roof of the tool shed and help up soffet boards on the orphanage across the street while the niños have a paper airplane contest.
 After lunch and the VBS rotations the niños head to the showers while the amigos relax dreaming of dinner and their turn to shower.
 After a wonderful dinner of bean and chicken tostadas, the amigos and the niños have time to play together. Some are playing card games such as "Slap Jack" or "Uno" while others are coloring or playing volleyball. Whatever the case may be, both the amigos and niños have smiles on their faces, enjoying each other's company.
 The day comes to a close with a camp fire for the niños. The amigos have a small Bible study and settle in for a good night's rest.
 (Wednesday) We finished our two work projects in the morning - the roof on the bodega (tool shed) and the soffets on the future orphanage that is being constructed on site. To everyones delight we had fish tacos for lunch! In the afternoon we finished our VBS program. VIVA! During free time we played with our niños and did crafts. Campfire was a memorable one. We shared our favorite memoris with our niño and our niños shared too.
 (Thursday) we started the day with a nature walk, had lunch at a beach house, and then went swimming at Punta Banda beach. Riding the waves on boogie boards and making sand castles were favorite activities of the niños. We finished our day with a campfire back at Mission Agua Viva (Rancho Genesis). We shared things we've learned about each other. God made each one of us very special. And we've learned that smiles/smiling is a universal language.
 (Friday) Today's highlights were going to the Jersey Park (playground), having a picnic lunch with ice cream, and going to La Bufadora, and buying our niños gifts at the outdoor market. We're looking forward to our fiesta/piñata party this evening! And we're giving the niños the gifts we brought with us (fiesta blankets and school supplies)! Unfortunately after the piñata party it will soon be time to say good-bye to our niños. It's been a very special week for us.