Zoo with CISNA

Yesterday we were going to go to the boys orphanage but a riot broke out in the girls detention center next door so they wouldn't let anyone in. Therefore, we met the boys at the zoo. One boy told one of the translators, Anibal, that he wanted to talk to me. We started to walk around together and we ended up at the reptile house. As we were walking, Anibal and I ended up almost to the end of the house and realized we didn't know where the boy was. We turned around and found him just staring at the iguana's. He told us that he used to have one as a pet, and it's name was Peter, but it died. It took a lot to get him away from the iguanas, but once we did he ran straight out of the place and started talking about how his head hurt. He started crying because he didn't feel good. But I thought that was a little weird because I don't know many 14 year old boys who start crying because of a headache. Later, he told me that a month ago he ran away from home because both of his parents abused him, and after 2 weeks on the streets the police found him and moved him to CISNA. (I'm not putting his name for safety reasons.) 

After the zoo we picked up some food and went to eat at a park near the mission house. The boy was so funny, and very protective of me. He knew that I could understand spanish, but any time another boy would try to talk to me he woud be like "She doesn't understand you! Stop trying to talk to her!" He and one of his friends even taught me how to hit a soccer ball off my head... Spending time with him reminded me of why I love this place. It's the relationship with these kids that brings me back every year. There is nothing better than knowing one of the kids looks forward to seeing you. Typically each group goes to the boys orphanage at least once a week, so I am definitely excited to see him each time.

Today I got to treat myself to a "down day". I spent the day reading through Judges and playing with the Ackermann kids. But I actually dislike days like this. I feel very unproductive. Thankfully, tomorrow is the beginning of a very full week with the new group. I cannot wait to see what God has planned for us! I love to see the way He works through each group in a different way.