Monday - June 14 (First Day at the Drop-in Center)

WOW. What a first day. We started this morning with a devotional to prepare our hearts for what was to come. One of our team members, Liz, put together a wonderful devotional for our group. The coolest part of her devotional was that she linked it to Matt 17:20. If anyone has been following my blog, one of the last ones I wrote before I came here was just that same verse. So it was much to my surprise that we studied it this morning.

Once we finished our devo, we made our way over to the drop-in center where the street children were. We were greeted with a song to begin the morning from the children and then made our own intros to the staff members, volunteers, and children. We spent the first hour or so with the children out in their play area. When I say play area, I'm not talking about a nice grassed over area that they can run and play. This area is mostly mud with large rocks embedded into the ground as well as gravel covering a good bit. The area is not much larger than a normal sized living room of a house and it is on a slope. Back home in the states, I don't know a single parent that would send their child to a place like this or allow their child to play on this surface. However, this isn't the states and most of these kids don't have parents. This is actually a fairly nice place considering the areas we are going to.

After having free time with the kids, we took them into the center and Kara delivered her lesson for the day. While she did that, Heather and I worked on getting our activities set up outside. Once they came back out, we played "Simon Says" with them. Except we called it "Nega Says" because Nega is the guy in charge of the drop in center (more on him at a later time...he's incredible). Heather played one round, but she just wasn't cutting it and selling them on trying to mess up, so I jumped in for the second round and really got the kids laughing. After that, we put up a volleyball/badminton net and played soccer volleyball. We used a beach ball and told them they could only get the ball over the net by using their legs or head. Let me just tell you that the kids ATE IT UP! Loved every minute of it.

The rest of the afternoon was mainly spent just playing with the kids in any capacity. What it basically was is just loving on the kids. If I could count on my hand how many times they braided Heather's hair, I'd need more fingers. I got to show them "cool" handshakes (thanks Clayton Farr) and they for some reason are infatuated with feeling my muscles. They kept calling me (and I'm going to butcher this) "Wolfrain" which means Strong. Additionally, these kids just cling too you. They love holding your hand and hugging you and making you feel welcome. All in all it was a wonderful day.

I haven't even had a chance to discuss things with my incredible bride yet as we literally came back to guesthouse,ate, and then had a debriefing session with the group. Honestly, this is an easier avenue for me to speak my heart because I don't get too choked up and no one is around watching me.

Here are some of my thoughts from today:

1. One of our group members asked us what we were most surprised by and what touched us the most from today. I was most surprised by how welcoming the kids were and how affectionate they were. I'm touched by how smart these kids are and how they can take nothing and make it something. I can't wait to give these kids the footballs, jerseys, and socks we have for them on Wednesday. They will blow up with excitement and that makes me feel so awesome.

2. God is here. These kids understand who Jesus is and they understand prayer. I had one kid ask me to pray with him for his friend that he would not be sick anymore.

3. Being that God is here, he's really pulling on my heart. I had the hardest time talking in group tonight as I got really choked up and almost couldn't finish my words. I'm a pretty proud person and don't shed tears very often and I've found myself holding back tears on a few occasions. I just think about how these kids have nothing and take nothing for granted, yet I take everything for granted. I sacrifice nothing in my life compared to them and it's stirring me crazy.

4. Nega, the staff director is incredible. First of all, he's an Arsenal fan, which puts him high in my book already. However, this guy is a machine. He's always out there helping the kids along with doing all the administration. Let me tell you, these kids are awesome, but they wear you out! I'm soooo tired right now and it's because they demand so much of your time. KC and I asked Nega today how he does this 6 days a week. I wish Nega could some time come to the states so we could have him over with our friends and honor him with a feast. He simply deserves it.

I'm heading to bed. It's been an incredibly long day and I still haven't really delved into how much God doing a work on me. Honestly, I don't know if I can put it into words, but maybe I'll try some time this week. I just realize that I am nothing with out Christ and how blessed I am. Yet I feel completely guilty with all the things in my life that I take for granted and waste.

Until tomorrow. Please continue to pray for these children. I wish I could grab them up and bring them home. I know all of you would fall in love with them.

God Bless