Wednesday we took some special needs kids to a house on a beach (with a pool) and we had a blast. It was the first time most of the kids had ever been to the beach. One of them became very attached to my mom, so that was a lot of fun to watch. I helped feed one of the kids who wasn't able to feel himself before eating lunch. Well, Wednesday night I woke up very VERY sick. Kurt said it could have been from feeding the boy, from the bacteria in the water, or I could have just been dehydrated. Either way, I was miserable. Therefore, Thursday my mom and I stayed at the house, but Micaiah still went out and helped the group paint the new halfway house for boys.
Friday I woke up feeling (relatively) better. There was a nurse with the group and she said I wouldn't be able to give my 100% that day. THAT was an understatement. I couldn't even give 20% when we went to San Martin (a government run center for special needs adults) that morning. I hated it. There is nothing worse than watching adults dance to Justin Bieber and not being able to join. After lunch we went to finish painting the halfway house. My mom said "I think you should find the coolest place (as if there is such thing as a "cool place" in El Salvador) and sit down." I attempted to do that, but it just made me feel worse to see everyone else working. So I got up and found a bathroom to paint. Once I finished that I felt extremely better. While painting the bathroom one of the men from the group came in and said "I asked your brother if he thought you were a wuss for getting sick and he said 'She has gotten 2 parasites, a cold and lice. And she still comes back. I won't ever call her a wuss.' After hearing that, I'd say you're a pretty strong woman." I won't lie, that kind of made my day.
Saturday Susan (Kurt's wife) invited some of us to see a talent show at the school where she teaches English. That was so much fun. The kids were so funny... The new group came in last night and they have been fun. Although I think I may get less sleep this week since they seem to like staying up late and sound travels in this house.
Today we went to the Ackermann's church (I typically go to another one) and I LOVED it. Salvadorean church is so much fun. After lunch we went to CIPI (the halfway orphanage) and broke up into teams. One team did games, one did crafts, one did a Bible story, and one helped build a new swing set.
It has been a long couple of days, but I have loved each one.
Tomorrow Micaiah and my mom leave, which I'm kind of sad about. It has been really weird to have family members here. I didn't realize how accustomed I have become to being on my own. And it's little things, like my mom being surprised that I freeze a bottle of water each night for the next day. To me, that seems logical in El Salvador. But I guess to a mother that seems like a really brilliant thing for a teenager to come up with.
Please keep them in your prayers tomorrow!
kind of obsessed with this, i am beyond proud of you. can't wait to hopefully see you soon so we can have a long nice chat and spill our guts to each other.
ReplyDeletei love you, cousin
Lydia, I'm keeping up with your posts throughout your missions! I cant wait to hear all about them. I'm so glad I met you. You and your family are awesome. You are in my prayers. I hope to do what you're doing now one day. God is really working through you! Hug some kids for me!
ReplyDelete-Brooke
Andrea, thank you soooo much. I love you too!
ReplyDeleteBrooke, that means the world to me! Thank you so much. I'm so glad I met you!