East Hill Church Team

10/20/12

This morning we went into Cholula, first we had breakfast out.  Then some of us toured the pyramid.  The pyramid has not been open for the last couple of years so it was a treat to see the new areas that were open.  After the tour shopping was our main task.  Lots of looking and buying.  Grasshoppers were on the wish list for Steve’s (uno) boys.  Susan treated the girls in the teen dorm to scarves, so she was on the hunt for special color combinations. 

We headed back to EV for lunch time (although none of us actually ate lunch…. Maybe we over did at the breakfast buffet).  After lunch we had planned a game day for the group.  We sang the song we have been teaching them all week, and when the song ended they begged to sing it again.  During game day the last of the kid’s teeth got cleaned by Lee & Bren.  Fun was had by all during game day.  Every game came with lots of movement, smiles and best of all prizes!!  We handed out almost 300 suckers, 36 packages of crackers & cookies, blow up balls, and 100 decks of cards.  After the organized games the kites and sidewalk chalk came out.  Card games broke out as well.  Some of us lost and some of us won….These kids know how to play a mean game of cards.

Dinner followed for us, then a little R & R while the kids ate.  Then it was back to our wild games of cards and cribbage and sharing time with the kids.  We did not have to plan for activities tomorrow since we are headed for church on our last day here.  I know I am trying not to think about it being our last full day here, I am trying just to enjoy every last second with the kids until we leave.  I know for sure I will be leaving a part of my heart here.

Dawnette

East Hill Team

East Hill Church Team

10/18/12

The day started out just as we had hoped; food prep, laundry, teeth cleaning, painting and yard work. Not complaining, just saying. Working together as a team is such a joy and blessing that any chore we are assigned is welcomed with a glad heart.

Each day as our eyes and hearts are opened to see, hear and feel what the Lord has planned brings a deeper understanding of the purpose of our being.

The children have taught us how simple it really is to be in relationship with the Lord and to be thankful for all He has given us.

The activities today with the kids were star bingo and creating a sun using paper plates, crayons and a balloon. Lots of laughter and smiling faces soon followed. Kite flying and basketball rounded out the day. Oh, did I forget to mention visiting the snack shack!! Yum

                                                                                                          Steve Yung

 10/19/12

Today after breakfast we went to Puebla.  On the way to the city center we made a pit stop at Starbucks & Burger King.  Susan got stopped by security in Starbucks for taking pictures, which is an no no.  They dropped us at the center of city.  Those who had not been to Puebla before toured the cathedral, the rest of the team stayed in the town square.  Then we walked to the market area.  We saw beautiful architecture and fountains along the way.  We then went shopping at the market for an hour.  Then we walked to lunch downtown.   The lunch was wonderful.  On the menu there were fried grasshoppers, earthworms, and ant eggs with assorted sauces.  None us selected those particular items.  Hot sauce was more popular.  After lunch we piled back in the van and drove back to the EV.

As we drove in through the gate the children were all playing in the field.  Upon seeing us arrive back to EV they ran to the tent area expecting our time with them doing activities.  We sang the song we have been teaching them all week.  We are all singing quite beautifully now (all in Spanish).  Then we read about Day 5 of creation and the creation of animals.  Everyone got to mold an animal out of clay, and then we all tried our hand a origami animals (ha ha).  The origami fish was a success but the rest of the animals were a bit in question.  But the kids all still had lots of fun.

After dinner we had our boys teen night.  We watched the same movie that the girls got to see.  After the movie, they talked about the stars and constellations.  The clouds were too thick to see any constellations tonight.  The moon did pop out for just a few minutes and they were able to view a handful of stars.  That did not dampen their spirits at all.  Then for fun we pulled out the cookie makings.  The boys loved making their own cookies.  They were having a hard time waiting for the cookies to cool.  They licked all spoons and bowls, no dishwashing necessary.  That is how we wound up the evening.

We met in the evening to plan for the next day.  Tomorrow is game day!!

East Hill Team

10/17/12

Today was so much fun! During our work project time we had no clothes to mend so the boys went out and worked on bikes and painted the snack shop while us girls stayed behind to do laundry and help out in the kitchen. Lee and Bren were able to clean some of the kiddos teeth today, but still have a tool that does not work quite right, so prayers would be greatly appreciated for that.

It was great to be able to connect with the kids at a closer and more personal level as we helped them with things they do every day. I now feel like I can fully appreciate every meal they make for us because I know how much work it takes. The snack shop now looks great with its shiny new coat of white paint.

Today we were able to sew with the kids during our activity time. It was great to see how amazingly creative all of these kids are. The older kids were able to learn how to or prefect the art of sewing, while the little ones made button bracelets and decorated pillow cases.

This experience has been so amazing and I can’t believe what I have been missing all of these years. I am already very excited to come back next year, and for many years to come! Thank you to all of you who have been supporting us with your prayers.

East Hill Team

Day 3

Today after breakfast we started our work projects.  Bicycle repair for the guys, and mending for the gals.  We came prepared with bicycle parts and tools, and a sewing machine.  (That was fun getting through customs.  I think we stumped the x-ray operators)

The highlight of the day is always spending time with the kids!!  Today we focused on Day 2 of Creation, The Lord separating the land from the sea.  The kiddos made their own “globes”, we did a water experiment, learned about the water cycle, and for fun had a water balloon toss. 

Yesterday I had a little bit of trouble figuring out how to communicate with the kiddos, since I know very little Spanish.  Today was better, there was a lot of “sign language” and some super simple words, but we got our point across.  I just want to hug and squeeze each one of them.

We also met with the sponsorship coordinator today and learned about upcoming projects here at Esperanza Viva.  The needs for the orphanage, and the needs of the kids living here.  I was super impressed to know they have had to start a new sponsorship program because the older children are old enough to go to college.  These kids have had a rough start in the world but with God’s help through Esperanza Viva they are now on the path to a college education and a bright future.  There are also children in the orphanage now that do not have enough sponsors to cover the cost of their living expenses.  My heart aches to sponsor them all.  Karlin & I (Dawnette) are praying for God to lay on our heart which of these precious children our family can sponsor.

This evening we got to have time with the teenage girls.  It was a wonderful time.  First we watched “The Bethlehem Star”, a movie about the actual astronomy behind the appearance of the Bethlehem Star.  It was really interesting and we ALL enjoyed it.  After that we took them outside to see some constellations, and enjoy the beauty of the night sky.   Inside we made no-bake cookies (HUGE success!!). 

Just as something to pass the time on the plane etc… I brought yarn and crochet hooks.  I was working on a hat, and happened to bring it with me to breakfast.  Well the hat was pretty popular and I have an infinite number of orders J.  We’ll see how many I can actually finish in the next couple of days.  I even have my fellow team members looking for lessons so they can make hats too. 

Thank you everyone for all your prayers and support!! 

East Hill Church Team

10/15/12

I have to start this out by saying WOW! What an experience it has been so far! This is only day two.

We all arrived safely! We got through the airport in Mexico City without any problems. The Lord definitely gave us all favor!

The next day we all unpacked our activities and began to plan out our time with the kids, It was so hard to pay attention to our own little details since all the kids were out and about starting out their daily activities out on the playground with their teachers and helpers. Personally just wanted to go out there and be with the kids, but we needed to get organized.

We finally got out there and spent time with the kids! Our focus for the week was CREATION week. We began teaching them a new song (10.000 reasons)..in SPANISH. They are quick learners! We also started a project called “Creation Crowns.  Each child was able to color and decorate their own Crowns! ” We also did tissue paper collages! The kids loved it.

The children are all so special, what a privilege to be able to be a part of a team that is committed to fulfill “His Great Commission”

I wish we could sponsor all the kids that have no sponsor! There were times when I had to walk away and catch my “Emotional Breath”. Knowing that most of these kids come from dysfunctional backgrounds, and some just abandoned, just broke my heart.

The cool part is just spending time and sitting next to these kids spending time with them making them laugh, bringing them joy and the love of Christ has been so awesome!

My wife and I are so thankful that God has appointed us to be a part of this ministry…please keep us all in your prayers!