A Week of Day Camp - the first of more to come

SCENES FROM DAY CAMP


My nephew Benjamin and his friend


Sophia and "her girls"


Smores and More


Volunteers - Mary & Omar and his sister Miriam, Sophia, Bambie, Betsy


50 kids - plus craft time = a big challenge!





Unfortunately for Sophia, the children were good at their aim

I ended the month in Michigan by helping Sophia, Dad, Mom, Mark and Bambie and several other volunteers put on a week of Day Camp for the Mexican migrant children. Officially, the hours were from 1:00-4:30 p.m., but the "off" hours were given to preparation for the next day. Part of this kind of preparation had to do with the fact that it rained every day and our activities had to be scrambled around accordingly (but, might I add that it never rained while the children were there - only before they arrived, or on their way home!). We all know that wasn't coincidence!

The other part had to do with the fact that this week of camp was a fledgling "vision" that was brought to reality by the power of God and the help of many volunteers. We asked God for wisdom as we went along and continually made changes to how we were doing things.

Friday night was parent night and the parents enjoyed a program put on by the children and a chalk-art drawing by Sophia. Two of our Mexican, bi-lingual friends gave the message while Sophia drew the picture. One of them said to me later that it was obvious that Sophia had done a lot of work with the families over the last four years. Mexican families are very close-knit and seldom allow their children to go places or attend events without the watchful care of another family member or trusted friend. Sophia has won their trust, and now, many of them are trusting in Jesus.

Gatherings of Another Kind

One of Our Zapoteco Friends


The Soup in Progress

A birthday party is in full swing. Accordian music is blaring from a radio someone set outside on the ground. A recently slaughtered pig is being cooked and all his parts have carefully been utilized - including his intestines for a special soup. Children are running around - in and out of the open doors of the surrounding little houses of their aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, brothers and sisters. Hours ago, a blue tarp was strung up in the yard to provide some sort of shelter. After the food is ready, most of the action will take place under this tarp. A Pinata will be hung up later on - as in several hours later on.

The party has been going on for six hours and the cake has not yet been served. But no one is in a hurry. It is dark now. And did I mention that torrential rains have been beating down on the whole scene much of this time? The blue tarp is whipping about in the wind. Still, the party continues -unabated. No ones' spirits are dampened; but we are drenched.

Where am I? I am in Michigan with my sister, Sophia, but the language I hear around me is mostly Spanish - and sometimes Zapoteco. The migrant family I have come to join in this full-blown party is from Oaxaca, Mexico. I watch. I listen. My thoughts jump back to a few days before this.

This time I am standing with this same family beside the grave of their father who passed away a few months ago. They have numerous candles which they light and put at the head of the grave. Each takes a can of pop, drinks some, then pours the remaining contents on the grave - anywhere - the head, the foot, the middle, the sides. They do this several times while making sure the candles are still lit - no easy task, because, once again, it is raining. I watch. I listen. My heart is heavy within me. What are they thinking when they do this? Their ritual means something to them, but what?

All the training with New Tribes Mission that I have had these last two years comes to slap me in the face. I am no longer in a classroom. I am in reality. This dear family needs the truth. "Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free." Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no one comes unto the Father except by me." Even with the heaviness in my heart, a pained-joyfulness surges within me. This is the cause for which I have given my life. Praise God for the friendship Sophia has with them. It is opening up a door of opportunity for them to hear and understand the Gospel.

Going to the Fair - A First For Me!

Where I live, we have festivals - not fairs. But for the last month I've been in Michigan, not Kentucky. So, to my delight, I had a 'fair experience' when I went to visit my sister and her family. I think I was more excited about it than Bambie's five children! I also did something at the fair that I've always wanted to do. I went Hang Gliding! Well, almost. Does it count if it's going in circles, and a man beneath us has the controls that determine how high we go and when we stop? Oh well. Maybe next time.


Pausing for a treat - Daniel, Alethea, Benjamin, Victoria, and Jonathon in the front (who was too tired to walk anymore)



Alethea - a horse lover like her Aunt Sonya!


Benjamin enjoying the bumper cars


A train ride for Jonathan



This rock climbing business is fun stuff!