Proclaim good news

A pineapple plant!

As the kids walk up to school they like to balance on the rocks that are lined up. I enjoy watching to see how far they can get and totally did the same when I was their age. Everything I could imagine being balance beam was one since I wanted to be a great gymnist! “Every move I make” was the winning selection for singing and dancing in chapel again. I took the “Inicial” class on a walk with Nelly this morning. I have never heard little Evelyn laugh so much, It was precious to see her that happy. Evelyn held my hand for most of the walk and kept collecting small objects, mostly leaves and twigs. While we were walking on the bike path, Nelly pointed out a pineapple plant. I had never seen one before and honestly didn't know what they looked like until today, I learn something new every day! My "Primero" gym class was chaotic. They were all pretty rambunctious, they weren't being bad, they just had a hard time staying on task. I took the fourth grade class down to the cancha to play soccer and basketball, which went very well. On my way back up to the school I ran in to a group of missionaries who wanted to help and/or start something like Casa de Fe. They were very kind people and asked me to say a few words for their video to encourage others from their church to get involved in service missions. It was humbling to think the Lord can use what I am doing in Ecuador to get others involved in international missions. When I was helping Martin get down to lunch today as usual he wanted me to pick him up and carry him before he even tried, but I told him we had to make it to the next landmark before I would carry him. Each time it gets a bit further, but I was pleasantly surprised when he far exceeded his goal for today. He made it across the bridge! When he stopped and asked me to carry him before I picked him up, I told him how proud I was and his wonderful smile was a mile wide! There was tension between a couple of the girls in class today which made for an interesting dynamic. Since there are only four of them I had to keep them focused even though there is no way to really give them space. Then it was time for school store, it always seems to take a long time with the little guys and I know God is teaching me patience. It is hard to do on Monday afternoons, but they love picking out the prizes they have earned, which makes it worth it.

Nicole spending her cards to get a prize.

The Spanish version of “Roxaboxen” was the book of choice to be read to conclude after school enrichment. I am going to have to get myself a copy of this book in English and Spanish when I get home, it was one of my favorite books in Elementary School. I distinctly remember it being read to me and thinking it was the coolest story, mostly because it was about a make-believe town! In fact, this past fall when I was at the Fargo Public Library I had to find "Roxaboxen" to read because I had been thinking about how much I liked it when I was younger! I was exhausted at the end of the day and took a nap right after eating a snack. It was a short rest, but when I woke up it was time for supper at Johnny's with the team. While we were there the shortest parade I have ever seen went by. It consisted of a band and a group of people holding candels, but there were police escorts so it was official! On the walk back to the house I looked up and saw the whole sky was clear. The stars were out and I laid in a lawn chair to stargazed for a while before heading in for the evening! Luke 4:18-19 tells about God's love for His people. It states, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor." God has given me the great priviledge to care for these children at Casa de Fe and I am honored to proclaim the good news of Jesus.