7am- Leave for dump.
Why did we go to the dump?
Because people live there.
Yup, you read that right.
People live in the dump.
They try to find recycleables or anything they could possibly sell.
They work all day in the hot sun,
and in one month make less than I do in a night of babysitting.
That gets me, every time.
There is something about seeing human beings living in piles of garbage that leaves your life never the same.
Steven, Aaron, Elaina, and Breanna did their testimonies, and every one of them was absolutely incredible.
People were very clearly touched.
We prayed for healing for people and then gave out beans, rice, clothes, shoes, face masks, etc.
You know what's crazy?
Standing in a dump on the other side of the continent with 38 other people in just your socks.
It'll change you, to say the least.
After the dump we stopped at the brickyard.
People make bricks there.
By hand.
I think the man working there said he makes $0.40 per brick.
That's pretty good money for San Luis, but still isn't much.
A lot of people got to make bricks.
After the brickyard we went shopping.
We went to a couple stores and I got some stuff to bring back for my family :)
I also got this gorgeous Mexican dress that I am still, a month later, thrilled about.
And a belt to go with it.
While we were shopping, I met the funniest man on the street.
He asked for money for his church, but you never know.
My Spanish knowledge came in handy, and the guy was so excited that I spoke Spanish.
Like, it was hilarious.
I was able to read his church ID and ask enough questions to make sure he was legit, so we could give him money.
After that, every time we walked past him he got so excited.
He would say "Hola, Yoanna!" and shake my hand every time I passed him.
I swear he wanted to marry me.
When we left he gave me a hug and asked for my phone number.
Sorry, bud ;)
When we got back, we cleaned our room and played with the kids.
I helped Isabel shred beef :)
Then we went to Frutal.
Okay... if you like smoothies, slushies, ice cream, milk shakes, frappes, or anything like that, you LOVE Frutal.
For real it's the yummiest thing ever.
Here is my mango raspado.
Oh yeah.
After Frutal, we went back to Bethel to play with the kids as long as we possibly could.
Because this was our last night with them.
Sooner than we would have liked, it was time for the fiesta.
The boys from Oasis came and we all ate dinner together at Bethel.
Fun :)
Then the kids did a piñata a bunch of people from our group pitched in and bought.
They LOVED it.
I had a video of it, but it won't load to my computer, so pictures will just have to do.
After the piñata, some people gave testimonies of what God had done this week.
Then Evelin, Pedro, Alejandro, and Dulce did a dance.
It was so great.
After them, Oasis did Vida, and then the Bethel kids did the Prodigal Son skit.
Best thing of my life.
Ricardo was the prodigal son and Alejandro was his dad, so funny.
Then we did our skit.
The kids thought it was so funny when Ashlee screamed "AYUDAME!"
After that.. it was time.
(Deep breath)
We lined up, and the kids lined up and one by one came up and gave us a card.
I got Luis's <3
Ricardo made an extra card so he could give me one.
It was hard to hold back the tears.
Then the kids got back in line, and came up one by one and hugged us.
Most people were bawling at this point.
If you've never seen 33 people from your youth group drop to their knees to hug little orphans... just wow.
When they got taller we stood up :) They line up by height.
After that saddest moment of all of our lives, Ricardo had to go to the church to put his costume stuff away.
He grabbed my hand and said "Come on"
We were walking across the sand, hand in hand, and Adalberto walked by and said "Ooooh!"
And Ricardo goes, "She's fifteen."
HAHAHA funniest thing ever!
I love him.
When we were in the church the kids from the skit were giving their costumes to Juana and we were all talking.
Ricardo asked her something in Spanish, and she said to me, "You sponsor him?"
I said yes, and his face light up, he gave me the biggest hug, and he said "Thank you" in english.
Wow.
If you are reading this, and I babysit for you,
I just want to let you know that thank you was for you.
I could never support him without you.
I wish you could all have been there in that moment.
The sincerety and gratitude in his voice was something I can't put into words, but I hope you understand.
Thank you so much.
From Ricardo and me.
When we were done in the church, we realized the Oasis van left without Ricardo!
He had to call someone on Juana's phone, he looked so funny talking on a cell phone.
Luckily Oasis came in 2 vans and the other one was still there, so he could go with them.
But thank you God for a little more time with my amigo :)
He gave me a huge hug and said "Bye"
<3
Hasta pronto.
When Ricardo left, I ran to find Carmen, and we were inseperable the rest of the night.
We took a walk around Bethel and talked.
I love her soo much. Mejores amigas para siempre <3
I never, ever, ever wanted to leave.
We had a short team meeting, and then we had to go to bed,
but first Rosita sang for us.
Everyone sat on the ground and listened.
The tears came.
She has such a beautiful voice and the song was so beautiful.
It kept saying "Te amo mas que mi vida."
I love you more than my life.
My heart broke at that.
When we went to bed, I cried myself to sleep with Alejandro's stuffed animal roosters.
And I dreaded waking up in the morning,
because that would really mean goodbye.
Canal where people get their water. That they drink.
Piles of tires outside the dump.
They are from America.
People live here.
Notice in the back of this picture. That's a HOUSE.
A chair, four sticks, and a ripped cloth for some shade.
