First off, as I mentioned in the last post, the week went amazingly well! We had a long list of projects and, thanks to Pat's organizational skills and hard work on every ones part, we were able to get everything done. Here is a list of all that we did throughout the week:
- Repainting the inside of the classrooms
- Repainting the outside of the classrooms
- Repainting the fence all around the school
- Repainting the small fences around the garden areas
- Painting the benches in the newly installed breakfast area
- Laying gravel around the breakfast area
- Repainting the soccer goals
- Installing new backboards and baskets for the basketball goals
- Painting games on the basketball court
- Weed eating the entire soccer field
- Cutting back and trimming all the trees and bushes on the property
- Planting flowers and trees
- Pulling up tree stumps
- Putting in new dirt and grass throughout the school
- Putting in a new sidewalk
- Cleaning out the bathrooms
- Cleaning debris off the roofs of the classroom buildings
- Shine the light of Jesus to everyone that we met!
As you can see, it was a pretty impressive list! It was such a blessing to be able to help out this school. We ended the week with a school carnival (or kermesse) there on the grounds. The parents from the school cooked food and we provided the drinks and the activities. We had bounce houses, ball toss, face painting, and races for the kids. We believe around 200 people showed up for the event. We ended the festivities by thanking the teachers and staff for allowing us to interrupt their school for a week and for all the help they had given us. We also presented them with some new balls for P.E. and gave out raffle prizes. It was a great day and a wonderful way to finish off the project.
Since then, we've continued to have contact with the school. Actually the principal and her husband have visited us on numerous Sundays and have begun to attend a cell group. The last day of school, we returned to honor those graduating from elementary school with a breakfast for them and their parents. We continue to pray about other ways that we can minister to those in this school and proclaim the kingdom of God there. Please join us in those prayers!
The group getting their assignments from Pat on arrival
José Luis painting. We even got our church kids involved!
Cindi answering questions from the kids on the first day of work. The school canceled classes most of the rest of the week to allow us to work
Proof that I actually did something other than take pictures : )
In the evenings, we had dinner and a devo in my back yard
Painting over all the graffiti
Painting the benches in the breakfast area. We had numerous parents show up this day and this was their project.
The sign on the fence inviting people to come help with the renovation and also inviting them to the carnival on Saturday
Aldo taking the rotted backboards off
José Luis helping put in the sidewalk
At the kermesse, the kids from the school performed one of their spring dances, complete with animal costumes. Pretty cute, huh?
Larisa and Amy selling drinks with Victoria helping out
The bounce houses, which were a HUGE favorite of all the kids. Some things are the same in every country around the world. : )
All the teachers that helped, along with a representative from the state education board
Enjoying the newly painted tables
The kids racing their hearts out!
The winners of the races won prizes
The group from Abilene, together with all of our church members that helped throughout the week. What an amazing week!
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