Camp yesterday was great! I love taking camp to different places and that's what we are doing this week. In the morning we do camp at Kilometer 13 which is a small school off the highway. The kids are really well behaved and excited to learn. I read with one of the younger boys today who had a bilingual book and he wanted me to read in Spanish while he read in English. It was cool to see that. Most kids are intimidated by things they don't know.
After we have camp in the morning we head back for lunch and siesta. Yesterday during siesta I played a quick one on one game with Jochi. He of course won but I think I'm going to surprise him one of these days. We only had time for one game and then had to leave for Batey Isabella. Batey Isabella is on the same road as my favorite Batey Woltario. I LOVE THE BATEYES. Most of you are aware of that already. Some people hate going because of the misbehaved children, lack of cleanliness, and lack of structure but I thrive there for some reason. The kids get sooooo excited when the bus pulls in. It's almost like Disney is coming to town. They love it. It is definitely very crazy and hectic but the kids have so much fun. Once we get them divided into their groups we sing random camp songs. They love the banana song especially when they get to go bananas. We try to keep camp for kids ages 6-12 but sometimes the older kids and adults want to participate too. There was one kid probably 16 years old who had his younger brother (6ish) with him. He couldn't get the little boy to play so instantly the little one became my special friend. I grabbed him up and he helped me run camp. He loved it. The older brother kept checking on him and laughing when he saw the little boy with me. I'm excited to head back this afternoon.
Going to the Bateyes is probably one of my favorite things to do here. God has really placed a special place in my heart for them. I would live there in a heartbeat if I could. The song God of this city by Chris Tomlin always comes to my mind while I'm there. It's amazing how you can always find him even in the worst of places. They have almost nothing but yet can be so content and so giving. I love seeing their excitement when we come to play or read with them. The adults too. If we all could only love even those that people view as "unloved." our world would be so different. Love one, change a life. Love ALL, change the WORLD!
Romans 12:13
When God's people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
After we have camp in the morning we head back for lunch and siesta. Yesterday during siesta I played a quick one on one game with Jochi. He of course won but I think I'm going to surprise him one of these days. We only had time for one game and then had to leave for Batey Isabella. Batey Isabella is on the same road as my favorite Batey Woltario. I LOVE THE BATEYES. Most of you are aware of that already. Some people hate going because of the misbehaved children, lack of cleanliness, and lack of structure but I thrive there for some reason. The kids get sooooo excited when the bus pulls in. It's almost like Disney is coming to town. They love it. It is definitely very crazy and hectic but the kids have so much fun. Once we get them divided into their groups we sing random camp songs. They love the banana song especially when they get to go bananas. We try to keep camp for kids ages 6-12 but sometimes the older kids and adults want to participate too. There was one kid probably 16 years old who had his younger brother (6ish) with him. He couldn't get the little boy to play so instantly the little one became my special friend. I grabbed him up and he helped me run camp. He loved it. The older brother kept checking on him and laughing when he saw the little boy with me. I'm excited to head back this afternoon.
Going to the Bateyes is probably one of my favorite things to do here. God has really placed a special place in my heart for them. I would live there in a heartbeat if I could. The song God of this city by Chris Tomlin always comes to my mind while I'm there. It's amazing how you can always find him even in the worst of places. They have almost nothing but yet can be so content and so giving. I love seeing their excitement when we come to play or read with them. The adults too. If we all could only love even those that people view as "unloved." our world would be so different. Love one, change a life. Love ALL, change the WORLD!
Romans 12:13
When God's people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
I'll move to the bateyes with you! I love Jaramillo where you probably haven't been but it is really small and full of Haitians and they don't have school there for the kids! Let's open a school! :)
ReplyDeleteUm you don't even know how serious I am about that haha!
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