Day 37 (30): Bye and Stuff

Today started out pretty normal. We had breakfast and worshiped in the park (for probs the last time). We hopped on the bus to the CDI (for probs the last time), grabbed some lunch at the AM/PM, got stuff set up for the kids.

We had all the kids again today, which is good because we got to say goodbye to almost all of them. The CDI is a 25-person capacity during COVID and we had 24 today. It was pretty wild. We played a lot, danced, did a Bible Story (Prodigal Son), and worked on our memory verses. The kids have done really well with memory verses. We had them learn John 3:16, Matthew 22:37, Romans 10:9, and started them on Matthew 28:19-20. Hopefully they'll stick in there somewhere. 

Today was so many kids and people in one place that it was a lot of zone defense; you just kinda manage the kids around you until they move into someone else's sphere. We had a good music lesson, but decided to have more time than usual to just play with the kids, since we were on our way out. It also allowed the Minnesota team to bond a little more closely with the kids; they've done an amazing job of committing the kids' names to memory and started connecting with them so quickly. They'll keep rolling tomorrow when we're on our way out. 

The kids made cards for us, which was super cute. It also made me feel sad that we didn't make cards for them (original plan), but I think that's good because we wouldn't have been able to make cards for all the kids (we had some new ones), and that wouldn't have felt good. Also, again, the primary connection doesn't need to be with us. 

The kids seemed kinda sad, but generally ok with us leaving. That felt really good, because it means (I think) that, while they felt loved by us, they didn't form attachments in a way that would hurt them when we left. Of course, that might also be because they're so used to seeing teams of gringos come for a week or a while, then leave and not come back. Lord willing, as we continue to connect with them, that won't be our legacy. Who knows?

After cleaning up a little at the CDI, we hopped on the bus home (probs for the last time). We got off early though, because Lagos and Ana bought us dinner on behalf of the church here, to thank us. Georgen, Reychel, and Derek came too. Derek said he begged his parents until they let him come hang out with us again. We ate good pizza and laughed and chilled and took some pictures (not me). We said our goodbyes to everyone (except Lagos and Ana Raquel), and walked home. 

Tomorrow we'll pack up and Uber to the airport and fly to Dallas and fly to Austin and drive home. We'll probs get in pretty late. Lagos and Ana Raquel will come by sometime to say bye, and then Tania will meet us at the airport to say bye, and that'll be it. 

We'll have to start thinking for next year pretty soon, actually. If you remember, we formed our team in December, but we started making real plans for this year in late August, so. It'll be less pressure than that, but I would like us to have the beginnings of a plan and maybe even some trip dates by SCW (mid October). 

PRAYER:

- for the church here. Legit, pray for them. All the time. Please. Put a note in your phone or something to remind you.
- for our partnership. We'll start planning for next year soon. We need prayer.

- for our team - for us to debrief well and transition into regular life well and all the stuff that will come with this ending

Pictures: Sure, why not?

us with the kids

us with Lagos and Ana Raquel