Lovely...

Today was so good... It was my second trip to the feeding center, and this one was exponentially better than the first. That day, I felt a little motion sick after practically off-roading to get to Manos Extendidos, and I was struggling with a migraine or at least a really severe headache.

Anyway, after that, I seriously considered backing out and giving up my spot in the rotation of volunteers. It's definitely an overwhelming experience to be in a small-ish room with 150(+?) LOUD and rowdy kids who only speak Spanish. We take turns leading the Bible story or songs, crafts, and games, and I really started to think that my lacking language ability meant that I have nothing to offer, but I know that the kids don't care, and most of them run up to hug you or just say hello and touch your light skin... When I looked at the schedule that I received in an email a couple of weeks ago and saw that our group was actually only able to go two more times before semana santa, I figured I could stick with it...

So a little more than a week ago, we sat down to plan. For the next six sessions, both of our rotation teams will be teaching about the life of Joseph. That meant today was the introduction along with the stories about his coat of many colors and his dreams...

A "coat of many colors" was purchased at the thrift store.

I was selected to wear said coat while leading "Jose Dice" (a version of Simon Says - but instead of Simon, I was Joseph...) IN SPANISH!!!

Have I mentioned that I do not speak Spanish?!?!

Even though I had a list of Spanish command options (like touch your nose, act like a duck, bark like a dog, etc), I was not confident and therefore not excited.

The songs went well and the story-telling was good, although it's practically impossible to get a class of 22 Honduran fifth graders to sit quietly and listen - much less 150ish Honduran kids, ages 0-13, all crammed in a room and sitting on top of each other, holding cups and spoons to eat out of after the lesson...

Even though the room was extremely warm, I put on the coat of many colors...

Some of the other leaders tried once again to get the kids to be quiet and listen so that they could hear to play the game, but in the end, it was just like, "Well... They're not going to get any quieter than this. I just need to lead the game, and if they want to play, they'll listen to my commands..."

I stepped up, faced the crowd, and a vibrant, expressive, happy, Spanish-speaking(ish) gringa took over my body for about five minutes... I HAD SO MUCH FUN. God is so good. I felt a little silly beforehand as I prayed and asked Him to help me lead the game, but He is faithful and He empowers us to lead these kids, to create a fun and safe environment, and to love them and build relationships with them so we can tell them about Him...

Jose dice salta como una rana! (Joseph says jump like a frog...)
Toque su nariz! (Touch your nose)
No! Jose no dice!!! (No... Joseph didn't say!)

The SUV that we climbed that mountain in got blocked in for a little while, so we ended up hanging around a little longer than usual. It's crazy to me to see what the kids are so excited to be eating... I honestly have never asked what it is, but it looks a little like rice in milk. That doesn't seem right, but like I said, I have no clue.

It was nice to just sit down outside and talk to and play with the kids. They are so loving, and they just walk up to you and sit in your lap or right beside you. One girl played with my hair, and I loved it... A lot of them noticed my freckles today (see below) and I tried to explain that they are called "pecas" in Spanish. In fact, I'm pretty sure I spoke more Spanish today than I have cumulatively in the last month. Days like today inspire me to study.

Here are a few pictures from today, courtesy of Sarah... The other gringa in the picture is Emily who is also from Birmingham and a member of Brook Hills. :)