Tuesday July 20, 2009

Things are going well here in the beautiful country of Belize! Yesterday was our first day of soccer camp. Mr. Dave drove the school bus & we picked up 40 kids to take to camp. The other kids met us at the field because they live right there in the village where the soccer field is. We had about 50-55 kids attend from the age of 5-17 yrs. Mr. Dave started off with a few volunteers showing the kids how to do toe touches, dribbling, pull backs, etc. After practicing as a group we split up into age groups and had individual training with the group leader for about 20-25 min. We were then all called back together for a short bible lesson lead by Mr. Rudy. Rudy talked to the kids about love & how we are to love everyone just like Jesus does. He also explained that love is an action not a feeling. We are to love people even if we don't really like them so much. The kids were very attentive and even gave examples to us of who they don't like ex. someone who steals from them, or beats them, or is mean to them etc. Some of these kids have had many terrible things done to them that we could only imagine so it's very hard for them to love the people who have done these terrible deeds. Some of them can't believe that Jesus loves them anyway no matter what they have been through or even what they've done in their lives. You just can't help but fall in love with these beautiful children, they are just so precious!

This morning the guys are making trips back & forth to the river loading rocks to help fill in the drive around the back of the Hosanna House. This area always seems to get washed away in then its hard to drive the van & bus through w/out getting stuck. Sarah, Tommy & Lisa are helping them unload. As soon as I'm done posting this I'm going out to help as well.

One of the older ladies that everyone call Mama wants us to come & visit her today. She lives in Armenia, a Mayan village. She make baskets, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, pot holders & other neat things. We always like to see her each time we visit here. Last year she wasn't feeling well so we went to her house. She usually comes here but she has to take the bus & it of course takes longer because of all the stops it makes. She told us her husband is not doing well so we'd like to visit with him as well. We also want to see the kids in the village. We bring them "sweets" (candy) every year, which is something they don't get much of, if any, unless a team from the home visits with them.

Please continue to keep us in your prayers for the remainder of the week as we witness to the children that attend soccer camp.

Enjoy the pictures!