tuesday

Jess writing here. Today was our first day running (okay, helping with) 'el programa infantil' - the kids' program. We'll do 4 of these programs during our time here in Chiconautla, in four different locations around the suburbs of Mexico City.
The kids' program was an amazing experience for everyone on the team. Though the clouds cleared (fortunately or unfortunately) in time for the program, we somehow found the energy to run and jump around with the 175-some kids who began to show up. Brad, Shelly, and DeAnne got to be the first to don the clown suits and make-up, and they drew quite a few stares and laughing comments as we walked through the streets in the morning. Good advertising for the program!
Once we arrived at our destination, Nancy (the director of the kids' programs at Iglesia Bautista Bet-lehem) started shouting through a pair of loudspeakers, inviting the neighborhood kids to come on over. With the help of some very enthusiastic 'payasos' (clowns), kids began to trickle in. Frisbees and footballs flew every which way across the arena, occasionally hitting unsuspecting parents or kids. When it appeared that most of the kids had arrived, we moved on to games-- 'Simon dice', 'el autobus', and something that involved a lot of running around and trying to step on plastic circles. The clowns were very good sports, getting into the games even though they had no idea what the rules were (explained, of course, in Spanish). We sang and danced, and performed a skit based on the story of Jonah. (Fortunately for the actors and assistants, it was well-received.) We split up into groups for crafts and snacks, and finished out the morning with facepainting.
The energy of the morning was infectious, and we came away tired but happy.

Last night, we listened to the first of four evangelistic services that the Iglesia will be doing this week. It was a bit harder to understand than Sunday's services because it was almost completely in Spanish (except for Brad's faithstory), but we were able to follow more or less what was happening. The highlight of the evening came when a man in front of us raised his hand to let the church know that he had prayed to accept Christ during the service. It was very cool to see the excitement and love of the people in the church toward this man, and the encouragement they offered to him.

We've been bonding as a team over craft and snack assembly. (We need about 150 of each for each kids' program). Personally, I think we make quite the interesting picture in our little circle of wooden desks, stuffing goldfish and Tootsie rolls and beads into baggies that may or may not zip closed. But, anyway, we're having fun.

So much more to write about, but the battery's dying. So for now, adios, y hasta luego!
The Team