Saying Goodbye Is Never Easy

Today was a tiring, but great day. We got up early and drove to a community called Rosario Murillo, about thirty minutes away. This summer Shoreline church worked with this community and we took today to do kind of a follow up. We met Pastor Flores when we got there and he showed us the three classrooms the Shoreline team had started to build onto the two others. There was a school down the road that the kids attend, but the classrooms we worked in today were where the kids went to do homework and learn about the Bible. The first classroom we visited was a group of 9-11 year olds. We played a name game with a soccer ball, taught the story of Lazarus with a felt board, played other games, and colored pictures from the Bible. 

After that they had a break where we went outside and played soccer and goofed off. 

Once they were good and tired it was time for food. Emily and Tristan brought bowls of gallo pinto from the kitchen at the church and handed them out to the kids. 

Before we took a break for lunch we went to a few houses Shoreline had visited previously and spent a few minutes praying for them. We didn't have time to visit all the houses, but it was nice to follow up with the ones we did. 

After lunch we went to another classroom of 3-5 year olds. 

Here we played the name game by rolling a ball to everyone in a circle. 

We played "papa caliente" with the soccer ball. 

Jennifer taught the story of Lazarus and we finished with another game and coloring. 

The kids had so much energy by the end that they went wild when it was time for a break. We all went outside and played some more soccer and jacks on tiles outside the classrooms. 

The woman on the left is the teacher. 

This is the field and to the right is the pavilion where church is held. 

The kids like to take pictures, so here are a few taken by them:)

We decided to stay for the women's group at six this evening, so we had hours to spend with the kids. We taught the story once more to a group of kids and the rest of our time was spent playing. This is one of my favorite parts because each of their personalities start to show and they never stop smiling. It usually happens with every community-the kids are shy at first, but there's always a moment where the color of our skin or the lack of our ability to communicate disappears. After that we are all there to enjoy the time God has given us to be together. 

One thing I find extremely hard yet so beautiful at the same time is the bonds we form. There are kids who drag you around by the arm wherever they go, kids who go back and forth between you and their friends, kids who you don't really meet until the end but can still laugh and have a good time, and then there are kids who latch on and never let go. 

Not one of these kids is ever easy to leave, especially those like José André (this is as close as I can get to spelling it right since it took asking ten different people what his name was). 

He bounced between Tristan, Emily, and I for a while and followed at least one of us at all times. He was silly and sometimes rough. I couldn't understand hardly a word he said. He could never make up his mind. But at one point he latched onto me and wouldn't let go, and it broke my heart. I don't know anything about his life, but I sensed he didn't get much love from his family. I could be completely wrong, but it didn't seem that way. I carried him around everywhere and even when I sat he was still hanging on. He would point and tell me to walk over to the truck and set him on the edge of the bed, then seconds later hold his arms out and point over to the fence. This pattern went on up until we left. My arms were so tired after hours of carrying him and he wouldn't let me set him down, but I didn't care. When you have a kid like him it's impossible to let go. However, near the end of the women's service, his dad came riding up on a bike and called out for him. I talked to his dad, José, for a few minutes until I had to give him up. I handed him over and waved goodbye. Not only is it hard to say goodbye, but it's even harder to know I may never see any of these kids again. They are all equally incredible and special no matter how much time I spent with each of them today. 

I could go on forever telling stories about them, but it's late here and we have a full day tomorrow. We ended our night with the women's service where Jennifer gave a great lesson to about thirty five women.

It was a great turn out and the women enjoyed having Jennifer talk. They all came around and shook our hands afterwards and we all said goodbye and headed back to the mission house. Tomorrow will be a long day, but I'm excited to see what else God has in store for us!