School, No School, Cornhole and So Much More...
Today was our first full day with kids. What is so awesome and frustrating about this trip is having an amazing plan and having to change the minute you get started. That is what our Monday team (Maureen, Katie, Jason and Howie) experienced. Initially we thought the kids were going to be off for the school. Then we learned upon arrival that the kids were going to school but would ask for permission to take a half day. That threw the plan way off, but I'm so thankful that our Monday team was aptly able to change the agenda. We spent the morning playing Cornhole, cards and just hanging out. Kudos to Kelly for rocking it out in a game of slap jack.
Before lunch, the team kicked of our theme of identity with a personality test. A lot of the kids had a green personality; green personalities are characterized by calmness and are easy going. We had one blue personality which is characterized by being organized and detail oriented. Even at an early age we had a few red personalities which are the natural leaders. Last but not least, we had one yellow who is the life of the party. The kids took a wood puzzle piece and painted the piece the color of there personality. This puzzle piece is a part of a much bigger story (more coming this week, I don't want to spoil the surprise).
After we finished the personality test, the kids and the team had lunch at the orphanage. The lunch was a lovely Khmer lunch of fries chicken (fresh from the farm), fried rice that was out of this world and braised bok choy. After lunch, Jason put together the NLO North Point band. Jason got the kids rocking out on brooms and buckets. After lunch, while the Monday team touched up some the puzzle pieces, the rest of us just hung out and got to know the kids better. During this time, Joel and Kristie went to the market. While they were gone, we split the group between boys and the girls.
God Moment - Remember our team is comprised on non-Khmer speakers. As such, translators are a huge part of making this trip successful. Well, the boys had a translator and the girls did not. While the team was contemplating what to do, Sheryl (the guest pastor's niece) came to the orphanage with a translator.
So crisis averted. Both discussions went really well. After the girls were treated to a spa day. They were treated to hair, nails, massages and a hand and foot sugar scrub. During our spa treatments, the boys finished their small group and the girls day in became coed. Some of the guys put glitter in their hair and painted their nails. It was fun for all of us.
Later in afternoon, Kristie and Joel returned with pastries and soda for all. It was an ideal situation - 15 Kids hopped up on cake and soda. To burn some of it off, we played Cornhole. Some team members were not keen on playing more lively music. While attention was diverted, iPods were switched and a dance party broke out. The electric slide and the Cupid shuffle were an epic hit. We ended the day with Rock with You by MJ.
In summary, the day was awesome but bittersweet. One day is already done.
For those of you back home reading this blog please pray for our kids. We love them all so much and our hearts break for the hard and difficult things they shared with us today. I know many of you are praying; so please keep it up. Your prayers, love and support are so evident in the great things God is doing for our team and our kids.
"Lee-hi"
Wini
