Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Day 5 -- John's Big Day





Picture 1 -- Steve laughing it up with the Hondurans
Picture 2 -- Steve, in his element, pouring concrete
Picture 3 -- Phil and Stevie, completely out of their elements, mixing concrete
Picture 4 -- Stevie, in her element, teaching the kids at VBS
Picture 5 -- This is what it's all about
After breakfast this morning, as we were getting ready to head out to the work site, John informed us that we'd have to work without him today because of his back injury. After realizing that he wasn't joking, we headed off to the site to begin the pouring of the concrete driveway. Wondering what John was doing back at the team apartment, we mixed dirt, concrete mix and gravel, and poured the concrete into the forms until John, Cory, Alfredo and his son, Daniel, showed up with lunch. Upon their arrival, we discovered that our prayers for John had been answered because somehow he pulled himself off of the floor of the apartment and walked about one mile to the mercado y la tienda de helado (market and ice cream store for those of you who aren't bilingual). Please pray that God will work through the relationships built between our team and the workers at the work site.

After lunch, we finished up some work and headed to the church for Vacation Bible School with 3 and 4 year olds from the community, who are candidates for positions in the La Providencia school. Before VBS started, Cory and some others went around the area knocking on doors to see if any of the other children wanted to partake. While we taught and played with the children, Alfredo talked to their parents about the project and how their children would be loved, educated and cared for at the project. Stevie was a natural while teaching the children, as they were listening, smiling and laughing (almost always at appropriate times) the entire time that she was working with them. The rest of the team assisted in leading the singing, teaching and crafts, as well as the photography. Please be praying for these children (photos above), as they are the "sick and poor" of which the Bible so often speaks. And since I know that you're all wondering, John also made his mark on the VBS by playing the ever-famous "pull my finger" game with Daniel and Cory. I'm sure that the Honduran teacher that heard the results will never forget our team for as long as she lives.

After VBS, we returned to the apartment and John decided to take us on a tour of the city, since he became an expert on Siguatepeque earlier this morning. He showed us the pastelerias, the panaderias, the tiendas, y las farmacias (which he visited for pain medication, of course). Unfortunately, though, we didn't bring the digital camera so you can't share the experience. Upon our return, Guadalupe had arroz con pollo ready for us and, as usual, it was some good eatin'. We tried not to eat too much, though, because we had to play soccer tonight with Alfredo's family, some locals, and the La Providencia staff.

At soccer, which was "indoor" soccer played on a concrete field, we began playing with the expectation that Steve and John would not be able to play because of their ailments. However, to our surprise, another miracle occurred and John was able to take the field, playing defender and a mean goalie. In fact, John was somehow able to make a hockey-style kick save, which entailed him dropping to the ground extremely quickly with his legs in a near-splits position, and popping back up to ensure that he could take care of the rebound. Fully expecting that he would be in traction for the rest of the night, we prepared for his exit from the game. To our surprise, he not only continued playing goalie (very well, I might add), but he returned to the field at every position. The true star of the night, though, was Stevie, as she showed the Honduran boys that girls can not only play soccer, but often can show up the boys. It was a great time had by all. Oh, as for Steve, he, too, played goalie for a bit, and his son (no need to name names, but let's just say that Ryan isn't on this trip) happened to score on him a few times.

After the game, we returned home and, of course, ate some more of Guadalupe's great comida ("food" for the Spanish-challenged) and prepared for bed. Buenas noches, nuestros amigos.

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