For Jonny, Peter, and Michael, Day 8 started with a bus ride to San Andres church in Olivos. As our stop approached, there was some confusion as to which button signaled the driver to stop. Making a quick decision, Jonny pressed the red button with the bell on it. It was not the right button. Instead of signalling the driver to stop, it signaled the driver that there was an emergency occurring somewhere on the bus. We knew something was wrong when we heard a loud screeching sound coming from the speakers. Not really sure why the button has a bell on it... Since we were at our stop we exited the bus rather quickly.
Once everyone arrived at San Andres, we started the day with a prayer. We prayed for Nate who was bedridden with what, at the time, looked like appendicitis. We prayed for the children of Jardin Maternal San Benito who gave us prayer requests the day before. We prayed for strength in the spiritual warfare we all face daily. Starting the day off the right way energized everyone for the day to come.
We headed back to Villa Jardin for more time with the children and the fences. We needed to get the long iron fence sanded and painted so most of us devoted our morning to that. I think everyone who was out there painting that fence will remember how much fun it was.
During the time we were painting, Susanna, the director of the Jardin Maternal, took us on a tour of the local neighborhood. We saw where most of the children are growing up and it gave us a better idea of what they are facing. The neighborhood is very poor and quite unsafe. We traveled with Susanna as the locals know and trust her. Susanna is one of the unsung heroes of our faith. She gives so much of her time, energy, and love to her children. She even bought a house nearby to be closer to the school. We do not have any pictures to show as Susanna asked us not to bring our cameras. Susanna brought us to a bakery where several women have started a sort of entrepreneurship with their baked goods. They welcomed us with trays of amazing pastries, some of which Tony bought and shared with the group.
Once the tour was over and the fence had been painted, we were invited to a multi-cultural festival at the school. We saw dances from Paraguay and Bolivia as well as a traditional Gaucho dance from the Argentine countryside. We weren't really prepared when they asked us a group to present something American for all the families. However, we recited the best rendition of "Take Me Out To The Ball Game" you've ever heard. We did so well they asked us for another song and we rocked their socks off with "The Hokey-Pokey Dance." We even got the children involved. It was very memorable. See photos below. Before we knew it, it was time to leave. We were sent off with gifts from the children and we gave out gifts of our own. We were literally surrounded by children as we gave away silly bands. Getting on the bus was hard as some of us were unable to break the hugs of crying children. We spent the rest of the day with our respective host families.
We spent the rest of the day with our respective host families.
Long lost sisters?
The Hokey-Pokey
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