Day 6 - Rain & Those Kids

What a great day. 

We woke up to continue painting our Amazon River boat. We finished the second floor's white ceiling with extra coats for the soggy, moldy boards, painted the benches, and started on the walls. It was efficient work, but once lunch was over, we were hit by another tropical rain story. It was so sudden, and it hit hard. We witnessed a house across our boat collapse on the river. The water got on our painted benches and walls, so we will see tomorrow if the storm had a major impact on our progress. If it has, talk about a major bummer! :(

VBS was the most fun tonight. We are approaching 100-kid participation as we grow more accustomed to this humid, muggy climate. It really is amazing to see so many kids come to these events with little to no experience about Jesus. And yet after just 3 services, I feel as though many lives have been changed under us lowly, inexperienced high schoolers. Tonight's service has been the most powerful. We had the usual program, and we added a couple new activities. One student shared their own personal story. Two students read more Jesus stories. My vocal group, One-A-Chord, performed a Spanish song called "Hem of His Garment" (which ironically told one of the Jesus stories shared tonight). The final game involved passing objects in a line (under-and-over, between the legs and above the head), and I felt most connected while I joined with the kids. (My team won every round!) But it was the prayer circle call that impacted me the most. Pastor Troy called for the kids to come and pray in the center of the room to give their lives up for a Christ. It wasn't the usual experience where one or two kids stumble up after a few moments of awkward silence. PT was bombarded with kids. They circled him and we joined them, touching their heads with our hands. Later that night at the compound, us young missionaries reflected on that experience and many others. One parent saw God working through a Peruvian parent during the service as he joined the prayer circle. Many students commented on the outward displays of joy by the little kids who have never been so attached to us during our time here. It really is amazing here, and the kids are what everyone says they are: innocent and fun, packed with contagious smiles and laughs. 

Tomorrow's another work day. Going to sleep soon, but my thoughts are still swirling as I lie in my bunk bead in a room of five other guys making their own noise. The projects overall have been disrupted by the perpetual rain and mucky conditions, so it has been a struggle and there is frustration among the group. But moments at VBS have been the most fulfilling. The students had their sites set on Machu Picchu, but now we know what a once-in-a-lifetime experience really is. I'm having the time of my life right now. :) 

P.S. I should also mention that our room has been consistedly flooded after rainstorms. We have moved rooms and moved back in, and tonight water completely covered the floor after we arrived from VBS. Our one fan keeps breaking after we touch it because its blades are not straight. The floor is still covered in sand even after we attempt to sweep it all up. There are bugs everywhere in the rooms, as well as geckos and frogs. Mosquito bites are popping around like the chicken pox. We sent our laundry away two days ago and haven't seen it since. I'm running out of shorts and shirts. My shoes are already drenched in sand, dirty water, paint, and covered in tears. 

Roger: This is NOT a vacation.