Photos tell the story best

There are so many things on my mind and just not enough time in the day to get it all down. Here are some thoughts I have managed to scribble down.

Different Things
-Kids refuse to let their butts touch the ground. They are professional squatters.
-Kids are deathly afraid of all bugs (boys included)
-Toilet paper is a luxury not found everywhere
-Its hard to get kids to think critically. The education system is just not set up that way.
-They will cheat off of one another and lie and think nothing there is nothing wrong with it. (I have a story of a hijacked moped that goes with this one)
-People will walk up and take pictures with me or of me w/o asking
-Truth is an abstract concept that doesn't just apply to the news
-We have had multiple sets of teachers from different schools not think twice about drinking and smoking before students
-If you are a child of a government worker, you've got it made because your parents can provide things money can't purchase. They are the most powerful people around, so to be their offspring pays.

Here is a link to more photos. Facebook seems to be the best vehicle by which to get lots of pictures out to those that want to see them.

July 1st- A day to be shoot photos and be shot

If you follow the link you will see what I mean. Click here

Just Call Us The Three Amigos

This is my crew. We kind of run things at the camp. Songs, teaching, games, lunch, rafting, riding, and cleaning. We do it all. As you can see we are as tough as they come.

Authentic Christianity

During my time here I have met a number of brothers and sisters of the faith. Sharing stories and how they pursue God has really challenged and encouraged me to step my game up personally. These people live lives that are more simple than their American counterparts. They don't have the blessing of choosing from 12 versions of scripture or 30 denominations of Christianity. They LOVE and SEEK after God with all they have in them. They do not have a 5 step plan for sharing their faith. They live it out and share the Gospel to all willing to hear. Watching these guys really makes me think hard about all the wonderful bonus stuff we get as Christians in America and it begs me to ask the question, if all the Christian culture stuff actually helps me draw near to God or if it just makes me feel better as a follower. This place, these people have really encouraged me to look at things differently. I pray that this doesn't sound like I hate America, I'm simply starting to see the same God from a different angle and I never really realized there were other ways to be His.

James 4:8
Deut 13:4

Jennifer: Lets teach the kids a song. "I'm a little lair."
Kelsey: What!?
Jennifer: No this little light of mine!"

Coffee

I have always watched "adults" drink coffee as their form of daily fuel and I never understood it, until now. I hate to admit that I have become one of those people that have their daily cup to get going in the morning. I must admit holding a mug while teaching makes me feel like a more legitimate teacher than when I am without it. I'm a dork, this I know.

Chacos, don't leave the country without them

Today's trip down the river went well, and it felt great when the splashing wars started. There were a few times when my boat was totally exposed to copious amounts of splashing; there was nothing we could do to really fight back, because of the way our boat was positioned. To be truthful, I enjoyed those moments most because it made me feel like when you're a little kid and someone bigger than you is tickling you, and there's no hope to stop them by any means and so all you can do is sit and enjoy it.  

It never ceases to astound me the clothes and shoes these kids wear for sports events. Today for the rafting trip one of the teachers wore really cute high-heeled shoes! We warned her that they would get ruined but she claimed she didn't care. Again I must tell myself its not good, not bad, its just different.