Day 7: No Heart Left Untouched

This morning we woke up knowing it was our last day with the children after having an amazing celebratory "last supper" (pictured left) at the Brazilian BBQ, Baby Beef. Its name refers to the restaurant being smaller than the flagship restaurant, The Poor Cow, which is located in downtown Belo Horizonte -- a most unfortunate translation into English! By the time we started our morning devotions at 8:15 am, many of the children had already gathered at the gate waiting for the day's activities to begin. I think some may have even slept overnight outside hoping to be the first across the threshold. Monday is a national holiday, equivalent to our Fourth of July, so the kids will be out of school. None of them are upset about that in the least. From what I can tell, all of the children who attend the Shade & Fresh Water Project would much rather be here than in school, which is why it is a mandatory requirement for any child who participates in the program to attend school.

By 9:00 am, our Saturday festival of activities was well underway with four stations. George, Shelby, and Amstelina hosted the drama / music / Bible station to help the children retell the story of the Good Samaritan. Roberto, Jhoseline, and I hosted the sports center with numerous activities based around the dyed panthose that Joan brought. The children and adults aliked had a good laugh over these! Diana and Mirian hosted the beauty salon -- which was a HUGE hit especially with the teenage girls. Mirian styled the girls' hair, Diana did makeup, and the girls painted each other's nails. And finally, Joan, Liana, and Stephanie hosted the crafts station with finger stamping projects and a mural as well as weaving (more dyed pantyhose!) and making friendship bracelets. Everyone is completely pooped out but it was worth every minute. The children here are very affectionate, which is part cultural and part need. Whatever the motivation -- hugs were given and received by all and no heart was left untouched.

Before the children headed home and we said our goodbyes, everyone gathered at the flag pole to sing the national anthem and raise the Brazilian Flag in honor of the national holiday. Lunch followed shortly afterwards with gifts being given to the staff who helped us throughout the week and a birthday cake for Silene (the prorgam director) and Pastor Abi. Denielson, the primary volunteer who oversaw the work project, was a lifesaver to our group. He is a single dad with a son who is in the program. Time and time again, I was amazed at how hard he worked alongside our group and I am glad that he liked the khaki green shirt we gave him to show our appreciation.

This afternoon we are taking naps, packing up, and then enjoying our last evening together before heading back to Rio de Janeiro and a very long, long flight home. We leave Belo Horizonte at 4:45 am tomorrow mornign -- but not before sharing communion and a final time for worship and praise for all the good things God has accomplished in us and through us.

I imagine this may be my last post until I return home stateside. Many a deep thanks goes out to all those who have traveled the road with us. I can't wait to get home and for the various members of our team to share their photos, their stories, and hopefully a brief snipet of the 10 plus hours of film footage that Shelby and Amstelina shot on behalf of the group!

God is good all the time -- deus tao bon, alleluia! I love you.