Monday, July 13, 2009

Well hey everyone from Cochabamba, Bolivia. Today was the first full day for most of us, and it was full of amazing goodness. Most of us woke up refreshed at around 7 or 8 to a beautiful Bolivian morning. It's actually pretty cold here during the night and in the early morning, probably around 40 degrees F. But the amazing calmness and beauty that accompanies the cold makes all of it worth it. We had a delicious breakfast and made our way to the orphanage around 9am.

The orphanage we went to is a property leased from a local baptist church to the Timmers, and since being there they have done a lot of work on it. When they first arrived, all that existed was a foundation and a small lower level that was used as a chapel. In the last five years, they have added a kitchen and an upstairs level, complete with three rooms and a patio area. All the workmanship is very well done, actually surprisingly so. There is still more work to be done, which we hope to help with this week, and which they hope to finish in the next five years.

Let me just say that for anyone who loves children, the orphanage is like heaven. The kids are so cute, and they just love talking and playing with us. They actually are teaching me Spanish, which is amazing and humbling. It is such a blessing to be able to spend time with these kids and just show them the love of Christ and also allow them to bless us with their smiles and hugs. The ages range from as young one to eleven or so. There are also house parents that are at the orphanage 24/7 and just love taking care of the kids. The house father, Marcelano, also sews many items such as bandanas, backpacks, book carrying-cases, and other such items, which help bring in a little money for the orphanage.

For most of the morning we worked on various small jobs around the orphanage. Some of us built trenches using random stones to divert water flow away from the river (which may I say was a complete work of engineering genius) while others cleared shrubbery and cut boards from a door frame. Others just played with the children and had a chance to love them and get to know them better. Oh, and our luggage arrived today as well! That was a welcome surprise considering we weren't expecting them until later in the week.

We had a chance to present the tools to the Timmers and to Marcelano. We gave them about 10 tools kits, which include a drill, charger, and two batteries, reciprocating saws, right angle drills, impacters, and lots of accessories. They were so happy to receive them. Marcelano called me his "very good friend," which was very special. I am excited to hear the stories about the use those tools go to hear in Bolivia.

The afternoon was equally amazing. Half of us went back to the orphanage to do work while the other half took the kids to the park. I was in the park group, and we had a great time playing with the kids there. We took them on a train ride and pushed them on the swings. We also had a chance to play soccer with some of the local Bolivian people at the park. A lot of the kids played on our team and most of them were quite good (no surprise). It was win and stay on and we actually got to play five games. So I guess you could say we did well. We then took the kids home so we could all shower and get ready for dinner, which we are eating now. Bonnie made tacos...speaking of which I need to go eat some of them cause everyone is saying how delicious they are.

Buenos noches, amigos!

Philip Gilde