Friday

It is amazing how quickly this time is passing. Friday morning we were up at 5:30, after individual morning devotions, had breakfast, got dried laundry folded and distributed. Then we loaded up and headed out for the school. We didn't get as many volunteers as usual, but that was OK, because most of the time was spent installing supports for the balcony viga. This is a blurry picture of it, but the only one I have. There are about 40 supports that look like a Roman cross and it took quite a while to set each one. On top of the 'cross' we will build a wooden form that will house the metal reinforcing bars, into which we will pour much concrete. This team was hoping to get at least some of the viga poured, but that doesn't look like it will happen. The weather got to us as we are now in the 'rainy' season. They call it winter here - May, June, July and August. Yesterday the morning was hot and humid, about 92%, with overcast sky, but then it cleared in the mid-day and the sun was very strong. But around 1:30 pm the sky darkened and then lightning, thunder and very heavy rain for well over and hour. We waited it out in a classroom, told stories, then completed erecting the supports.
Yesterday was a special day - it was Chantell's birthday so we began the day singing to her. At the school we had a pinata for the kids in honor of her birthday and all the kids sang Feliz Cumpleanos to her.

After that we had a very special treat. The classes prepared some childrens' songs that they sang to us, another class presented a little skit about a country peasant who came to town to sell his vegetables. Then all the teachers honored us with a traditional lunch that they had prepared for us. Beef, sausage, cheese, ensalada, tortillas, frijoles. It was EXCELLENT. Directora Santos spoke to us about how grateful they all are for the work, especially because this school was designed for 120 students and now serves 350. (The classrooms are horribly overcrowded). Pastor Giron spoke to them all about the sacrifice that the team (and those who donated) have made. Then I addressed the group and explained that we do not represent the government of the U.S. but rather that we represent the Kingdom of God, and to encourage them in investing their time into the children. We sang some praise songs, closed with a prayer and there were hugs all around.

As I write this it is Saturday morning. We were going to use this as a "play" day and go to the Pacific to a beach there, but have decided to stay here and work this morning and then go up to Escuela de Venezuela this afternoon and play soccer with the kids and join in their bible study time. Tonight we will close with our group devotion, get ourselves packed up and prepare to be at the airport by 9:30 am local time.