Monday, March 17, 2008

This is  quite a busy week.  The kids are all on spring break and they are having a "campamento" (like a camporee) up on the hill behind the gym.  We are going to basically live up there all week and stay there at night.  Also this week there is a big group here from the Battle Creek Academy in MI on a mission trip. 

Yesterday we woke up well rested, despite sleeping outside.  (Last night didn't sleep well at all, mosquitoes: 8, Adam: 0) We took the kids on a walk as breakfast was being prepared.  Manuel and Luis, two guys from casa 3, are basically leading out in the activities.  They make the walk a lot of fun for the kids and we returned to the smell of frying plantains. For breakfast  we had fried plantains, beans, and bread.  It's was actually really good.  We have gotten into the habit of eating beans for breakfast here.  It good to have a more substantial meal at the beginning of the day.  After breakfast Maestra Sandra gave some instructions to the kids, which I did not understand, but I knew they had something to do with cleaning.  As soon as she blew her whistle they were of to their tents to clean them out.  They really have listened well to the staff during the campamento.  They are very motivated, I think because they want to stay there and they know that the staff means business.  One kid entered the kitchen area when he knew he was not supposed to and had to clean all the dishes from breakfast by himself.

After they cleaned their tents, they dug holes and made bamboo entrance ways and decorated the outside of their tents.  I was really impressed with what they ended up with.  Papi Leonardo and I did the judging and each group got points based on their work.

Right after this I had to head off to find the Joel.  I had the privilege of driving on of the vehicles to the airport to pick up the group that was coming.  I have to admit, I was really not excited about driving in San Salvador.  Driving here is a bit different in the states.  Though it really isn't terrible.  Nothing like I hear it is in India.  I got to drive the truck with all the luggage in the back. It is a little truck with a really long bed.  We tried to cover up the luggage as best as we could with a tarp so no one would know that we were transporting valuables.  You have to be kind of careful here, I got to drive in the middle of our caravan. 

On the way back I only had room for one person, so Micah ended up riding with me.  He ended up coming on this trip at the last minute when they told him they had enough money for him.  He didn’t know much about El Salvador or the Hogar.  It was kind of strange to be on the other side of things and be the one answering questions and not asking them.

It is about an hour and a half drive from the airport and on the way we saw a little pickup with three people sitting in the back (and I think 4 in the cab) somehow crash into the concrete wall.  We were probably going about 40 mph.  The people in the back quickly jumped out and amazingly it didn't look like anyone got seriously hurt.  I wonder how many people are killed here in accidents while riding in the back of a truck.  You often see big trucks with bags of corn, sugar cane stalks, or dirt, piled high with people sleeping on top cruising along at 50 miles per hour.  People have a hard time understanding why they don't allow anyone to ride in the backs of trucks here on campus.  But I think it's a good thing.

I was thankful when we pulled back into campus.  As we parked I saw Crissy coming down the hill, completely drenched.  They had just finished a water fight.  And she was heading home to change clothes.   The rest of the day consisted of helping the "Americanos" get settled, playing with the kids at the campamento, and then a Fogata (a bonfire).  They sang songs and had a good time roasting marshmallows.   Afterwards we watched a movie on a white sheet hung over the fence.  It was about a horse called Spirit.  It had very little dialogue so it was fairly easy for us to follow what was happening.  Finally we headed to bed about 10:30.  This week during the days I will be working with the Americans.  We will be painting the Gym and one of the houses.  Then in the evenings, back to the Campamento.  Lord give me strength for this week.  I am already exhausted from fighting mosquitoes last night, and the day hasn't even begun yet. . . I know your strength is sufficient for my lack today.  Thank you.

(CHECK OUT SOME MORE PICTURES FROM THE CAMPAMENTO HERE)