O-H-I-O

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Everyone at home is probably enjoying the first OSU game.. I'm a little sad to be missing it, but I am so happy to be in Xela.

This week has been very full. Every night I come home with a tired brain from a lot of Spanish. It is workshops week, and I have the 10 and 11-year-olds in my workshop of geography and world cultures. We've talked about a lot of countries and made a craft or played a game from each one. For the United States, we made mini peanut butter and jelly sandwhiches and played "Bubblegum." They loved trying peanut butter and all I ever hear at Caras now is "Seno, vamos a jugar Bubblegum." It is really cute to hear their english as they sing the song with me. I've had fun, but after a lot of planning, talking, and working with a group of crazy kids, I am pretty ready for talleres week to be over.

I've also been going to Nuevos Horizantes, which is a pretty difficult environment to be in. The women and kids definitely have times of joy and hope, but it is still a dark place to be at times. A few of the younger kids are kind of violent and need lots of supervision. It has been a humbling experience as there is nothing I can do or say (in my rough Spanish) to change their circumstances, and I feel really inadequate there at times, but it has been so great to know that God is the one working and he loves them all so much. 2 Corinthians 12:9 has been a great comfort to me today. "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.' So I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me."

Probably one of my favorite memories of my trip so far is attending a Quincenera on Saturday with my friend Gris. It was really fun cultural experience, and I loved getting to know her better and meeting some of her friends. I went over to Gris's house on Tuesday for lunch before Caras. Gris, her sister, and I (well, I didn't do much) made lunch. God is giving me so many opportunities to share what he has done in my life. I am loving getting to know the people of Xela.

Thank you so much for your love and support! I'm excited to see what happens next, and I would love to hear about what is going on at home!

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