Day 21

9am to 3pm….Not bad work hours at all!

Today was a great day that made me realize what it would be like to do something like this for the rest of my life! I now understand when adults tell me to choose something that I enjoy because then it won't feel like work because it will be what you love to do. That's how I feel here! I forget sometimes that this is an internship and that I am working. I definitely could see something like this as a future profession!

So my day began at 8am. Got ready for the day and then we headed out to meet Rocío again at 9:30am at metrocentro(the mall). We then walked to the houses of some of the scholars who live nearby. We met with the moms to discuss the schedule for the next coming weeks and told them about the Open House party we will be having this saturday. It was really great because all the moms were home and we were able to see the kids as well and the kids seem so excited. This office will not only be a place for the kids to have sessions with Rocío but also to come do homework, learn english, and work with Jessie and I! It's really great! Just pray that scheduling works out and that the kids take the responsibility to come. I am being very optimistic about this because that is my nature but also because someone has to be. But it's really exciting to be a part of all of this new development for VISEDAL and I just can't wait to see the kids more often!

Jessie, Rocío, Davíd, Manuel, the mom, and myself 

Myself, José, and Ana- Ana showing me her great grades on her school work 

Myself, Génesis Valesca, and Jessie

It was really great to see a majority of the kids and see their parents as well! So after we met with the rest of the scholars, we headed to metrocentro to take Génesis Valesca to celebrate her birthday. We ate lunch at the pizza hut in the mall and were able to get her a little dessert as well. It was then off to the market because she told Brad that she wanted a very beautiful dress for her birthday! So off we went to catch a bus and head to the market.

The market was a lot more calm today than it was the other time we went. I don't know why, but I certainly wasn't complaining. We went to a few dress shops until we found one dress that she liked so much! It was a princess dress. Brad asked me if that was very impractical and I told him no because when girls are her age they will wear those princess dresses everywhere! It is every little girls dream to be a princess. So Brad agreed and we were able to get her the dress she wanted. She was so excited! But she is always a very happy little girl! I have never seen this girl not smile or not have any energy to run or play or just be her playful self. She is a sweetheart and really fell in love with Jessie today! 

Génesis Valesca in her pink princess dress!

It was a great day today! Another special thing that happened today was that Davíd gave me a bracelet that he had made. Manuel and Davíd are brothers and they are the sweetest things! Manuel is such a good kid and his smile would make anyone smile. He has definitely the quality of a leader and I see him doing great things! Davíd is a sweetheart and just a ball of energy! He is definitely blessed to have as great of a role model as Manuel. They are really great boys! They were so sweet to give both Jessie and I these bracelets that they make out of those colorful and tight bands. They look really neat and again these kids' generosity never ceases to amaze me!

So it was a productive, joy filling, and special day today! I am so blessed to be here and to know these kids and be given the opportunity to get to know them more! I thank God, because honestly everything just lined up and I know it is His will for me to be here and I just pray that He continues to use me and that I can continue to show these kids God's love and as I begin these sessions with the older girls and my project that God will give me the words to say and that He will open their hearts to receiving what I am saying. I am so blessed! 

So when we got back to the hostel we were able to relax and I got a few things done and then dinner was made at home. I made myself some eggs and fried up a tortilla. Pretty good! :) Oreos after dinner are always a nice treat as well! :)

One thing that has been on my mind a lot recently is that life has a way of knocking you down and sometimes it isn't easy and you don't feel like you have the strength to get up. It's just great to know that no matter what God will always be there to help pick you back up and dust you off and tell you that you can do it and that greater is He that is in you than He that is in the world. Life has a way of putting you down and putting you through difficult situations. Just know that a diamond has to go through the fire before it can shine and be the strongest rock. If you can endure the fire, you will come out stronger than you were ever before. And know you aren't alone. Just like God was in the fire with Shadrach, Meshach, and Obednago, He will be in the fire with you the whole time! I want these kids to know that too! They have been through so much in their life and for them to know that God is with them throughout it all because He said He will never leave you nor forsake you is incredible! I want them and you all to know that no matter what life throws at them as long as you stay true to God and His word then no weapon formed against you shall prosper! You are where you are in your life for a reason, trust in God. I want these kids to know that it is ok to trust in God and that He won't let them down! This is only a season and every season has to change because we revolve around the Son(and no I didn't spell that wrong :) ). Just some food for thought and also pray that I can relay this to the kids!

Until next time, buenas noches