A Fun Sort of Insanity
Friday, August 8, 2008
Today we woke up to a chilly Quito morning that was intensified by a lack of warm water for showers. After trying to warm up a little we left relatively early for the church so we could get started on the project of the day: painting the church’s nursery. Through a committee decision it was decided that we would paint the walls a friendly sea-theme. After two coats of a soothing celeste (Spanish, “light blue”) color on the wall as well as speckles of paint on our hair, skin, and clothes, we were finished. I have to say that Molly won the prize for covering herself with the most paint.
After a successful morning we quickly went back to the house to change and prepare for the afternoon children’s program. Today’s program was made up of games and large assembly. Examples of games we played were soccer (or “futbol”), relay races, Ben’s version of “duck-duck-goose,” and an obstacle course. Bre and I were commissioned to 
design an obstacle course and then run it through with the children. Chris timed all the different teams to see who would come out on top. I had fun rushing the children on through the course. The afternoon’s format of games only was fun as it helped us bond better with the children and gave us more time to interact with them in a more relaxed manner. Nevertheless, having around sixty high-energy kids playing active games all at once does produce tired team members. We laughed when Jacob tongue-in-cheek asked us on the bus on the way home, “It wasn’t crazy today, was it?” We all agreed that is was a fun sort of insanity.
One of my highlights of the afternoon was having a balloon swordfight with a little boy who was around five years old. After he officially defeated me he conquered me even more with a wonderful hug.
That evening, after finishing our children’s program, our team had a joyful time of singing together. As our harmony filled the air I thought of the wonders of Christian fellowship. We are all from different corners of North America and yet we can come together to serve and worship the same God in South America. As I have gotten to know each team member better I have heard amazing testimonies of the way Christ has been working in each person’s life. I can’t help but see that as we keep harmonizing and working together for Christ, He can turn our service into something beautiful - a lovely melody of grace to those here in Ecuador.
Kathleen, for the team
Ruth and Molly transforming the nursery from stark white to ocean blue... and getting covered with blue freckles in the process.
Lining up for a game... well... sort of. Getting them to stand in anything like an organized line wasn't too easy. Oh well. Straight lines are overrated.
Pato, Pato, Gonso (translation: duck, duck, goose)... played Ben's style. 
Somehow, Ben's style got him in the "mush pot."
Some of the beautiful children we love here in Quito.