Aaron's Story...

Aaron smiles as he displays the runny, chocolate messiness from his trip to the store for ice cream for behaving well in school.

This morning as we sat down to breakfast, I could see that Aaron was wanting to tell me something. So, I set down the breakfast bowls of cereal, pulled up a chair, and listened as the twenty-minute story (no exaggerations) unfolded...

Aaron: Estefania, the other day Thomas the Tank Engine was in my house talking with God. They were fighting against these bad guys and they put me in a lion's den. Another boy, too.

Diego: Me! Me, Aaron?

Aaron: Yes. But then we escaped from the lion's den because their mouths were closed and we went to find God in the heavens. All the rest of the kids couldn't find him with the angels.

Steph: Why not?

Aaron: Because he was hiding in another heaven really, really far away with Thomas the Tank Engine.

Diego: Candi and I were hiding in our house, right?

Aaron: Yep... Diego hid and ate lots of eggs and cereal.

Diego: Lots. Eggs. Cereal. [Head nod.]

Aaron: So... they found the soldiers of God who won against the soldiers of the governor [let me insert here that we had a big discussion over "soldiers for the Lord" and "soldiers for the government" the other night] because the angels of God are very big... it's true that God is bigger than Jo-el, right?

Steph: Yep... He's bigger than Jo-el. [Big smiles... this question gets asked quite often!]

Diego: [Lots of giggles]

Aaron: So... the soldiers won and the kids found God. And then Thomas the Tank Engine was talking with God and he was angry. And then a big tiger came and I killed it with my pistol. He fell into the lion's den. Oh, and the tiger ate Diego.

Diego: No, Aaron! No, he didn't eat me!

Aaron: Yes, he did. Can I have more cereal, please?

Yeah, for amazing imaginations!!!

Sunday Morning Photo Shoot

Shoot #1: Aaron, Candi, and Diego (22 takes)
Shoot #2: Gabs & Momo (31 takes)

Shoot #3: Candi, Aaron, Edi, Diego, Gabs, and Mom a.k.a The Whole Crew

(150 takes)

Okay, slight exaggeration on the number of photos snapped with my camera, but I went through a strong phase of deja vu last Sunday morning, trying to get photos of the kids in their Sunday outfits.

I remember standing outside of our house many, many Sunday mornings while Mom or one of the resident guests tried to take THE FAMILY PICTURE or THE CHRISTMAS PICTURE, while the sun burned down onto us making us scratch and twitch, sweat trickled from under the "perfectly" done hair, and we all tried to keep our eyes open at the same time and our mouths smiling even though Chelsie had just stepped on my heel, I had smacked her, and Tifani dug her nails into both of us. In fact, most of the time I would deem (and did deem) our family pictures one word... horrific.

So, as I say, I was laughing at myself while I tried to get the kids to smile, and eventually decided that the best shots of kids are not necessarily ones in which they're smiling... but rather when they're acting like the little tykes they are. And maybe you wouldn't want to send out Christmas photos of Eduardo ripping out Candi's hair by the roots after she steals his sandal... but then again, if you have my sense of humor, maybe you would... ;)

At least with a digital camera I won't have to develop all the different takes - failures and successes. Then again, it was always a laugh to look at the fifty pictures Mom stacked on top of one another in our family photo albums of what I then thought to be the EXACT SAME PICTURE.

Mother, dear... I now know better!

I'm Not Very Good...

... at goodbyes. In fact, I usually end up writing a card or sending an e-mail since the last minute words never seem to be sufficient, to convey exactly what you're feeling... and if you do say something it plops out suddenly, goopy and untidy, a mess of words and emotions that you never meant to say... especially so incoherently.

All of this a precursor to saying... Gabs and Momo are leaving CVE to live with Bob & Joy Huber and their family in Imuris tomorrow.

And I'm probably going to "goop."

Eight months doesn't seem like that long. It certainly doesn't seem like long enough to give your heart away so totally and completely. And I know there are those at CVE who have been here much longer than I have, and whose hearts feel just as bruised as these two leave. I love these little guys, and they have made my life here at the orphanage a joyful time. Yes, there are tears. Yes, it will be hard to see them go, just as it was hard to see Timi and Andres leave... but we know that God is in control, and that He has a greater plan for all four of these boys' lives than we can even imagine (and that sounds a lot more secure than I know I can sometimes feel).

Praise the Lord that Gabs & Momo are going together and they are going to a Christian home where they will grow up hearing the word of God from a mother and a father... what more could we ask than for them to have the opportunity of one day serving Him and becoming a light for Christ in this world?

Les amamos tan mucho, y sabemos que su mano, nuestro Padre Celestial, es sobre todo que va a pasar en sus vidas. Gracias por la promesa de tu amor y tu fidelidad. Ayudanos para tener confianza en sus planes que no podemos ver; cada día mas Señor... cada día mas.

I'm finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny things is it's okay
The last thing I need is to be heard
But to hear what You would say

Word of God speak
Would You pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to see
Your majesty
To be still and know
That You're in this place
Please let me stay and rest
In Your holiness
Word of God speak

I'm finding myself in the midst of You
Beyond the music, beyond the noise
All that I need is to be with You
And in the quiet hear Your voice

I'm finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it's okay

("Word of God Speak" by Kutless)

Marked for Him

When I looked out the window last night, I saw that the side of the new house being built here on campus has a little triangular area of shingle that looks like our garage at home. Why so similar? Honestly, because the garage shingles in Kansas are faded and weathered, dirt stains decorating their edges, arching above the rim of an old basketball goal and a single lightbulb. As I looked at the new house's shingles (formerly brilliant white, and already showing the effects of wind, dirt, and weather), I was suddenly outside on a hot, summer night playing "Around the World" basketball with Tif and Chel until Mom called us into the house for nighttime, all-you-can-eat eggs and waffles.

And I realized something... I love the shingles at home because they are at home, because I have watched Time weather them, because they echo my own years in every crevice. I can be living in another country, without my family, without that sense of identity that comes from land you have walked on since you were tiny... and I can feel connected.

Because of some dirty shingles that I hold in my memory.

Sometimes I wonder why God gave us memories, especially when some memories are so painful. A year or so ago, I read of a primitive culture that has no "past tense" in their language... their culture does not have a collective memory, nor the linguistical means to express it if they wished to. And I thought, "How sad... how sad that you cannot even talk about those memories - happy or sad." [Although, at times, admittedly "easier" to "forget" than to "remember."] But I have to determine that (for me) memories - both bitter and sweet - have helped shape me into the individual I am, as well as marked me for life. And if God is in control of that life - those marks are part of my journey to Him.

I am no longer a clean shingle.

I don't believe our Father in heaven wants in us just a clean, white shingle. I believe that when he tells us that He will test us, try us, mold us in the fire... He expects to see those marks, those stains, even those scars. Because it's not so important what we (as a single shingle) look like in the end, but whether we have taken those times of trial, become stronger in Him, and shared the source of that strength with others. Become marked for Jesus Christ.

I want to be a well-used shingle. I want to be marked, and scarred, and battered... and one day to meet my Savior who has been with me all the way, and to hear Him say, "Well done."

So I will treasure those memories of home, and say a prayer of thanks for every new memory - not yet created - that God brings along to weather me. One day, I hope the marks on my shingle will unravel like a novel, and that the ultimate ending, the best plot device, through the denouement to the final spattered punctuation of ink, points to my Father in Heaven.

The marks of a life lived for Him.

The rest of these pictures (as well as the one above) were taken during the buildup for the rain and storms last night. The darker photos might be hard to see...

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." - St. Mathew 5:16

"Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that." - James 4:14-15

"A,B,C,D,E,F,Geeeeeeee..."

Summer school has been going on for a couple weeks now, and thanks to the efforts and pre-planning of Carissa, Denise, and our incredible Summer Staff, it has been running quite smoothly. The kids all have different schedules that they follow everyday, and get "stars" or "tachas" for good or bad behavior in the classes, which they are then rewarded for with special treats, trips to the store, etc. I am teaching English and Art classes this summer, and other than the occasional blank stares when I repeat directions for matching in all-English, or try to explain how the mauve sky is a "warmer" color than the cobalt blue... it's been fun ;)

Above, center: Michael shows his "kangaroo hop" while learning about animals in English class.

Above, left: The third period girls' class is quite advanced, and quite fun to teach as well... and even though I've repeated phrases such as, "I love you so much it hurts, and I want us to be friends forever and ever," or "Will you marry me because I love you so much it hurts, and I want us to be friends forever and ever" more times than I can count... still good times... lol. In this photo they are arranging the words to make full sentences.

Above, right: Poncho, Gabriel, Michael, and Jose play "Simon Says" in English during classes in the morning.

Art classes have been a special treat to teach. Although not an artist myself, I enjoy teaching some of the subjects, and especially seeing the kids throw themselves into projects. The first week we did charcoals (which ended in black hands, REALLY messy floors, and girls leaving wearing "cat faces" from the charcoal sticks and boys wanting to have cat faces the next week...) and this week we started acrylic oils. Some of these kids have a lot of talent...

Inevitably, we have lots of hearts, and lots of "I love you's" with the girls. However, the boys are also getting in touch with their inner, artistic selves, as I had them all express what they thought of the tree we went out to sketch for charcoals... I know Seth, Joel, and Limón will be so pleased... ;)

Top: Blanca turned out a beautiful, fairly abstract rendering of a heart on canvas.

Middle: The leftovers from our acrylic paints made a nice photo op...

Left, bottom: Jaqueline's roses were a big hit with the rest of the girls.

Right, bottom: Federico's rendering of the tree in the concha (courtyard outside the dining hall), which I think is quite beautiful...

Onion-Pickin' Days

I walked into the kitchen yesterday afternoon to be met with the sight of all the boys, Joel, and Limón cleaning, peeling, and chopping literally hundreds of onions from the garden (the melons on the table are from the garden as well). The floor was covered in dirt and onion peels, shirts were soaked with water and sweat, and everyone was crying... who says boys/men aren't emotional??? Especially with such pleasing, aromatic inspiration??? ;)

Fede and Uriel sit on stools as they wash off the onions in the kitchen sinks. I do believe that there was even some artistry in this job since several of the onion stalks were "curled" and twisted quite beautifully from the duo pictured above...

Armando and Daniel pose with their best and most ferocious "onion-eating" faces.

Francisco found yet another use for the onions (admittedly at the prompting of some of the adults in the room... what? Did I admit that?). Guacala...

Here, Limón was showing off his mad-Chef skills. This picture does him too much justice since the speed of cutting was definitely still visible (unlike in the photo)... ;)

The boys did manage to back up a bit however throughout the demonstration... lol

José, Poncho, and Francisco pause for a photo. Poncho is the best "poser" I've ever known, as he will gather every person around him for at least five photos, before you are allowed to escape with your camera!

So... here are the results, Jenean! The refrigerator is going to smell like onions for a while, I do believe. I think I was told 473 onions, but I'm pretty sure that was an uneducated guess... ;)