Columbia

Hey guys...well, to say Ì`m being incredibly blessed so far is an understatement...these kids here light up my days! First day after we got in we headed to a special church service where we were the guests of honor (and here i thought we'd just be sneaking in the back to listen) and received demonstrations from lots of children - dancing, singing, etc. The pastor presented us as Sponsors, "padrino o madrina", of Columbian children...the looks on the parents faces moved me to tears. They were soo thankful, loving, grateful and sweet. Wow. After we heard a sermon we got to hang out w- the kids and buy some handmade jewelry! Good stuff.



The group i`m with is very eclectic and all so sweet. There are people here from the likes of arkansas, Maine, lots from Colorado that are on staff w- Compassion International, but sponsors as well, and my roommates from Miami and Louisiana - i asked her if she and Britney Spears were be fri`s. well, actually i didn`t, but wouldnt that have been great? anyway, they all love the Lord, love these kids, adn are very inspirational!

okay, kind fo ticked off bc i wrote a really long post and tried to post and the internet cut off and it lost about 3/4 of it. awesome. patience...arrrrgh.

So today was the highlight of my time so far. We arrived after an hour busride to this town called Paraiso (though it was nothing like that - paradise) - reminded me of slums in Mexico except with green grass and more scenery. It did rain today so there was lots of mud! They welcomed us just as openly and w lots of thanks. Each age group was responsible for a region of Columbia to explain, adn they did a dance, showed us the food (i had some rice pudding, yummy!), and explained animals and other stuff. Many in costume ,which was darling. After that we enjoyed lunch (food here has been quite good actually - lots of rice, fried bananas, chicken, steak - and yes they call it carne asada - beans. We are forbidden to eat raw vegetables, which is really sad for me cuz that means no salads. their avocados put california to shame as they`re about double the size! TONS of fruit - i believe columbia has most kids in the world, and i´ve had new kind of juice every morning!).

Okay, this may cut me off soon, but anyway, today...the faces, the love, the care each staff person puts into thiese children is priceless. >Loved playing with them (i am games coordinator), laughing, hugging, kissing cheeks. Some for sure latched on, and i captured some of their cute faces on film :)

yesterday was a trip to the salt cathedral, apparently the "9th wonder" of the world (though i thought there were only 8? haha). all underground, all carved otu of pure salt...15 stations fo the cross, a full sancturay and 2 naves! Nixon, our cute tour guide, left me w- a gift of fools gold for our parting (though he wanted to come w- me on my travels farther south - i had to regretfully decline ;)

Lots of rain, so hoping weather gets better...but we`re going to be busy from here on in, so doesn`t matter!

I can`t attach pics yet cuz i think i forgot my camera cord (though i SWEAR) i brought it. Dad, please check my laptop bag or the drawer next to my bed. small white cord that I NEED you to get to mom!!

peace otu, god bless, and have a great week!