Monday

Sorry, still no pictures. I have to charge my camera battery before I can get them on here. Suspense is half the fun!

Today we woke up and ate breakfast that consisted of some weird fruit that none of us really liked (but we ate anyway because we don't eat a whole lot), a roll, and eggs (huevos!). We then were picked up by Alliance Academy's registrar, Stu (the one that picked us up at the airport), and went over to the school to meet some people, see the classroom, and wait for our ride to the mission project.

The project we were working with is called Extreme Response. They are a non-profit organization that sets up grassroots mission programs in different countries. Technically they are not a Christian organization, but they are all Christians. The reason they decided to not be a "Christian" organization is so people would be willing to give their money and let them work in their countries.

We got to the dump and were greeted by the Pastor that is over the ministry. He told us a lot about what they do and the five areas of life which they try to improve for the dump workers. I don't know if I can remember them exactly, but I'll try. First and foremost they are concerned with the spiritual health of the people, but of course they have to build relationships with them. So the pastor and the Extreme Response guy, Mike, visit the homes of the workers and try to get to know them. Once they are interested in becoming Christians, they give them Bible studies and other things that will help them grow in their faith. As of two years ago, none of the people who worked in the dump were Christians, but as of now around 20% of them are! Praise the Lord!

Next they make sure the people are healthy. They have an on-site clinic which the people have to pay $.50 to see the doctor (in order to add some value to the experience) and get free medication if needed.

The organization builds one house a year for the family that is most in need of housing. These houses only cost $13,000. Friends, we can raise money for this and build a house for some people in need! As of right now, many of these people live in lean-tos with cardboard or plastic roofs. But with the new house they can have cinderblock walls and real roofs.

Lastly, they have a program for the children of the dump workers (which is where we worked today). The kids range from about 6 months old to 6 years old. They have a school-like program for the older kids and the younger kids just get to play. It's soooo cool. At mealtime, all the kids (some of these are 2-year-olds!!!) will sit and feed themselves quietly until they are done and at naptime they put 3 or 4 babies in a crib and they all go right to sleep. There are some sad things about the children's program. The workers are overly strict with the kids and have not-so-good ways of punishing them, but they do love them. And those kids are so so so cute.

After that we came back to the guest house and mom went to her class while Kellye and I read and studied (ok, ok, and I napped). Then we ate dinner and I had some awesome Cinnamon and Clove tea. Yum!

Tomorrow we will be touring the city a little and finding ice cream somewhere! Oh, I forgot to mention, this morning we met a man at the school whose parents were missionaries here (and now he is too) who wants to take us sight-seeing (and he carries a gun and pepper spray so we can be safe!)! So hopefully we will get a chance to see some more of the sights. We're hoping and praying that it will not be so cloudy for the rest of the week so Kellye can see the volcanos!

I'm off to bed? Or off to read more of The Great Gatsby which is super-good so far!

Good night all. I love you and God bless.