First Comments from the Group

In the order that they were written in our notebook:

Jim Visser:  The kids were awesome!!

Courtney DeBoer:  You don’t have to worry about the 50 girls in the shower before you hogging all the hot water because there is none!  Who’s complaining though?  We’re clean 🙂

Andrea Rietveld:  Dear Mom and Dad!
Today my dream came true.  I spoke Spanish all day long and was able to use it with the kids.  I helped translate for the group.  Oh, let me tell you about the group.  Everyone is getting along great and there is no drama.  Everyone gives 110% and the heat hasn’t held anyone back.  Back to the kids.  Today we met about 20 kids and 10 of them hung around.  We learned the word “pato” for duck and “ganzo” for goose.  That game became very popular.  It was great to see the kids so happy!  Now, I can tell you about Peter.  The cutest kid I know!  He has Downs Syndrome but that doesn’t stop him.  It all began when we asked him to come to our VBS program.  He ventured to our work area and, with interest, picked up a hammer and started hammering the couch.  We didn’t feel right having him use a hammer and nails, so we invited him to paint the walls with us.  He did an amazing job and always kept smiling.  Then, when Elizabeth, the new home owner started picking up trash with us, Peter came and got right to work.  He picked up anything with no complaints.  He loved what he was doing and you could tell.  I saw it in his face, actions, smile.  One of the songs we sang said “give us a picture of your face, give us hearts to be your servant.”  That is exactly what I saw in him.  He was a blessing and always will be.  Later, I had time to sit down and talk with Elizabeth, she told me about her life (in Spanish, so I’ll tell you what I caught).  I came to learn that she has lost 3 children and has quit having kids.  She lives with her mother, who is extremely ill.  She is definitely a sad woman, but she always had a smile on.  I think I even caught a few tears.  She was a blessing to me.  I wish that all reading this could experience the love and acceptance of this humble place.  This day alone has changed my views toward what I own.  I am a rich person who just got knocked into reality.  The world is not always rich and cheery.  (However, the kids here are happy all the time.  The adults are the ones struggling.)  I can’t wait to see what the rest of  this week will bring.  I love you all! Love, Andrea

Angela: Hey Mom and Daddy-O!
This was the firs day we really worked, and I realized the actual poverty of the people . But yet the people are All so nice and always mile and wave when they don’t even know us. I can’t hardly put into words about the children, all are weet, beautiful, and care about each other. I also got to play with Peter, and the prettiest little girl who was very skinny and had no shoes, she sat on my lap, not knowing anything about me, knowing I dont speak spanish, and putting trust into me. It also makes me realize how good I have it even after that I cryed though, I’m not homesick , Im not tierd, and it’s not because of the problem I had before I left, with friends. I feel conceited but it seems like everyone here has a friend. It’s at those oments where God reaches out and has someone come and make me laugh, or jus somone who cares. I want to change like that, and I wish that God will move me. Love Angela

Liz Deleeuw: Hey Mom and dad.
So I’m having a really good time and I feel like God is really using our whole group. Its not that hot so thats good. we are getting spoiled too…the food is reallly good! My group is helping a family that house burned down. They are so greatful for everything… I just love them already. This trip is making me be a different person and I’m excited for what God had in store for me and who he is going to form me into. I hope that I become selfless just like all the kids that we met becouse they are so happy with so little. This experiance makes you think and I hope everyone gets to experiance this too; love you and Miss you. Love Liz DeLeeuw

Dana Jongekrijg: Mom and Dad & Jenna
I’m having a really good time here. The plane ride and everything went well. It’s not very hot here which is nice. We are helping build a house for a family whose house burned down and the Lady’s son died in it. We went there and she was so happy that we came and helped here. There whole family is so happy with so little. I see God in them and in a lot of people around here. I think this trip is a great experience for me and I hope I cahnge and instead of thinking of myself, I will learn to think of otheres. I love you gjuys & I miss you! Love Dana Jongekrijg

Dave  spalding: I have been thinkin to day About the old lady in the Bible who gave here couple of coins she had at the alter! It was all she had ! Wow! Then there were the wealthy who gave their 10% or whatever! To him it was a lot of money and he was probobly proud he gave so much. Today the woman House we are Buldig worked with us while her sister made us tortilla’s and grilled chicken, tortilla chips and salsa whith all the toppings. She/They are the woman who gave phone! they probobly spent a months worth of salary ! Wow!! O;h how Lucky we are to be So richs! God changed our hearts to be more like you ! I think our students are getting it! Dave Spaulding.

Allison,Devin, Katelyn, Elizabeth, and Kayleen: Today we started building our one room houses for needy families. Our group is building for and older couple. Although coummincating was hard, we had a good time getting to know the family especially their 4 year old grandaughter. Obviously we reliezed that the family didn’t have much nomey, but they still wanted to repay us with home made rice and bean tocos(she told us beans was all she had.). We also noticed how friendly Everyone was. The people passing in cars always waved, and the kids would come out to see us. We don’t need their tacos as payment though, the way their blessing us is enough….but the tacos were amazing.