Wednesday, Day 2

This afternoon the team brought down all of the items that we brought with us to leave here at the orphanage. It was an awesome and incredible site to see us fill three six-foot tables with clothes, toys, school supplies, soap, shampoo, conditioner, and hair supplies. In fact, at one point, one of the tables colapsed. It was a beautiful site and such a blessing to give these things to people who will enjoy them and use them to the fullest!

After that, the teams split up into two groups as I mentioned previously and headed out to do some practical ministry while Emilio took Ady, Kerry, and I to do a bank and WalMart run. The one group went out on the street to experience what it is like for the people here in the ministry to try and raise money. They each took a tin and went out on the street to tell people about Adulam and ask them to help support the ministry. After an hour, 10 of them came back with a total of less than five dollars. This was the reality that Emilio wanted our kids to taste. It was not about the amount of money; it was about seeing the need and seeing how difficult it is to find people willing to help - as Jesus termed them - "the least of these". It was a sobering experience for them to realize that in an hour ten people did not even accumulate minimum wage for one person working one hour in the United States. This is the reality that most of God's world lives in! After an hour it began to rain some, so they joined the other group who was working at the ministry's warehouse where they sorted and fixed up donated goods such as clothes, bikes, and furniture. Stan reported that he had just finished assembling a dresser when someone walked in and purchased it. Praise the Lord!

After working for the afternoon, the team returned to the ministry headquarters. When I returned from our errands it was awesome to see them all engaged in games with the children. One group was playing basketball. Another was playing soccer. Another group was playing "Wink". Another group was playing cards. And yet another group was playing a coordination game with a ball. During dinner, Emilio challenged our group to a game of five on five soccer. Our guys jumped up and immediately accepted the challenge. After some pre-game festivities and warmups, everyone was lining the sides and packed on the stairs ready to go, and the game was on. Or should I say, the Utter Obliviation of the Americans. Within about 3 minutes it was 9-0. Finally Matt Moreo got one in. Next time we're going with basketball or pole vaulting. Ha Ha! As I am writing this, it is an hour and a half since the start of the game, and people are still downstairs laughing and playing and having fun. As we are hearing the joy in the air, Ady just remarked how beautiful it is to hear these children calling Emilio "Papa" and his wife Ruth "Mama." God is truly using them to be spiritual parents to the father- and mother-less.

A personal note, and a special thing for Adriana, was that her dad stopped by and she and I were able to go out for a bite with him.

Tomorrow we are going to have a special service with the children. We will be doing some ministry, and some of the children from the orphanage will be sharing their testimonies with us. Pray that god will really use them to open our students' eyes to the real pain and suffering that so many experience, see just how blessed they truly are, and ask God what it all means for them. I believe that God is going to really break and humble our group, and give them a deep compassion and a hunger to use their blessing to bless others throughout their lifetimes.

Much Love,

PK

Wednesday, Day 2