Mud, Peanuts and Plants

Today was a good day. It started out with a huge rainstorm (no thunder or lightening though). It was pretty cool because I watched come towards us from way out in the ocean as I did devotions.

After breakfast we headed to Montanita Verde to continue working on the various projects we are engaged in. One of my favorite times with the kids is saying hello and goodbye. Every morning when we get there we walk around and get hugs from all the guys and huge hugs and kisses on the cheeks from all the girls. It is such an awesome time of connecting with the kids. Each hug is given with such huge, beautiful smiles...it starts the day off right. A warning to all of our friends...ladies you will probably be kissed on the check by Christian and I...it is a custom to great every woman (whether you know them or not) this way!

After the greetings Amanda and Danielle loaded into the truck with Paul and Susan to head back tom Manta to buy some plants/trees for the orphanage and do some other errands. They came back at around 2:00 p.m. with a Mango tree, Papaya tree, Avocado tree and a few other really neat plants.

Christian and I stayed back at Montanita Verde to continue trying to get our work projects done. We put together the Christmas Creches (sp?) my parents made for each of the house (they are really beautiful) and we plkan to present them to the house parents tomorrow at some point. After that, because we were not feeling well, we began to lazily get things done. Christian finishing his work bench and me back in house 2 putting up the bathroom accessories. Just as we were about to head out the boys came and got us and told us to follow them to get some sugar cane. Not ones to disappoint young children (he he) we followed them down the road. Now initially we saw all the kids were wearing rubber boots and we were only wearing sandels. We asked if this would be a problem and they said no. They were wrong. With the rain the road turned into a nasty, muddy mess. The type of mud that stuck to our sandals every step. In about 15 feet we probably around 10 pounds of mud and donkey feces on our feet and squishing through our toes (yes it was as gross as it sounds). After getting some awesome chunks of sugar cane the kids to us to a guy that knows the Jackson's garden. Once there he showed us the honey bee hive (filled with African Killer Bees). It was cool until the dog ran down to the hive and the host turned and started running yelling at us to do the same. Little nerve racking. I guess if the bees get ticked off they can swarm you and kill you. Nice. After that we spen an hour helping the kids pull peanuts out of the ground for them to roast. It was a dirty, messy, grand old time! Especially when we started throwing mud balls at each other!

After that wonderful adventure we came back and finsihed our projects in time to have lunch around 1:30 p.m.

After lunch (2:30 p.m.) we had another awesome time hanging out with the kids. Christian hung out with the older girls dancing in the kitchen (I got some great videos), Danielle hung out with the lads on the front porch and helped Paul clear one of the gardens and I attempted to teach a few of the boys a new card game, "Gang of Four". We had spanish instructions so at least they had that but it was still difficult. After the card game Christian and I headed out and played Ecua-Volley with the lads (a game similar to volley ball but with some really different rules). Good times.

The day ended like it began. Hugs and kisses all around with fun threats of wrestling to come. We are all having a bit of a difficult time coming to terms that we are going to be leaving here so soon. Each of these kids have left their hand prints on our hearts in such a lasting way! Tomorrow we are going to help the lads plant the trees/plants and then finally we are going to get to do the jungle walk! Going to get some good video's of the other 3 running through the bat cave!

That's it for today. I may try and post some more pictures tomorrow if I have time (like 4 hours)!

Take care! Continue to pray for our health as we are still feeling a bit ill. The sore on my butt is still nasty and soar. There was talk that I might have had some weird parasite lays eggs in me (ya I wasn't amused and more disgusted than you are right now). After having several people look at it (including Juanita the house mother...ya real nice) they all say that they don't think it is anything to worry about but I need to keep an eye on it. Ya...so...enough of that, I appreciate your prayers!

God Bless,

J (for the rest of the team)