The Team Up theme was revealed very early in the day and continued throughout the day. I have provided a synopsis of our day below.
We arrived at the orphanage and began our day by playing volleyball with the children. This was great because the object of this game was not to win but to just keep the ball in the air. After several games of volleyball we gradually moved on to painting. Our plan was to paint the concrete walls and return to painting the gates and rails the following day. However, we had some problems with the paint brushes for the wall and we had to dive into painting the rest of the rails at the gate.
At the time we began painting the rails something amazing happen. Every child except George, who is 4 years old, began to assist our team. Some children grabbed paint brushes and others picked up rollers and the others just held the buckets of paint. This was very moving for me because I know the children were not requested to work by anyone on the team. They simply wanted to work side by side with us. As we continued to work a missionary couple from the US who are serving in Brazil with OMS, Micah & Marla Routon, joined in to help us with the painting of the gates and rails. Later in the afternoon, the director of the orphanage and our translator joined in and helped with painting.
Every day at the orphanage lunch is prepared for the team by the director of the orphanage. Yesterday, the director was not feeling well. She was experiencing something akin to cold or allergy. All the same, she prepared a wonderful meal. Following lunch our team leader ask the director if we could wash the dishes for her because she was not feeling well. The director replied, today, ´I surrender.´ The team washed dishes in shifts, i.e. glasses, plates, silverware, and pots.
At the end of the day we had dinner at the home of Sandro and Marinez, both pastors at the church we partner with while in Brazil. We had a great dinner in their home and once again we teamed up for XBOX 360 Kinect and a great time was had by all.
Jesus works in community. None of us can do what all of us can do! To God be the Glory!
Tsopei
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