Oh, the Heat!

Let me start out by saying that I know heat. I spent seven years going to a summer camp in Texas that didn't have A/C. One of those summers I was wearing a back brace that was a quarter inch thick...and plastic. I've been to Eypt twice before. I've spent all day in the summer around sweaty kids. 

I have NEVER experienced heat like I did today in Place Number 3 (PN3).

I felt like I was in God's microwave - being heated from the inside out, and no amount of water could quench my thirst.

I went on home visits with Heidi and our new friend, Chris from California, today. We met so many wonderful kids and families today. Neighbors brought over babies, and we listened as parents bragged on their educationally ambitious children, and asked for summer trade programs through the church to help the family make more money.

The girl that was our guide was 13 years old, and she and I skipped through a lot of that village. In the heat microwave. I taught her 'skip' in English, and she taught me 'run' in Arabic. There came a point in which this 28 year old was gasping for breath and she looked at me, hooked her arm in mine and insisted, 'run!'

So we ran. Until I couldn't. But man, did we cover some distance before I pooped out. In fact, there's a part in Nate's video on facebook (part 2 I believe) that showcases our skip/running. We had a grand time.

 

After the visits were done, we returned to the church. The vision clinic was in full swing, and I helped cheer on the decision to choose glasses before being swarmed by the kids in the church.

I didn't have any gifts to give them, but that didn't stop one little girl from tapping on my hand sanitizer that was clipped onto my bag. So, I decided to share. All of a sudden, there were roughly twenty tiny hands being shoved under the spout of my hand sanitizer. I gave each one a small dollop, and moved to the next. 

Funny thing was, none of them knew what to do with it once it was in the palm of their hand. Hand sanitizer. What a concept. 

I showed them how to rub their hands together, and once they had done that, they came back wanting more. I had no translator. So I mimicked smelling my hands and gave a thumbs up with a happy smell face and when they nodded yes, I said, "You're good! La ('no' in Arabic) no more." Such a small gift had made them so happy - and it costs me $5 for five. Which is about 1/6 of what most of their parents make a MONTH.

Eventually, I went upstairs to check on the dental clinic. And by "check on" I mean to get out of the direct sun light. :)

I mainly took pictures and stayed out of Gloria's way.

 As it turns out, my mom has worked with Gloria down in Mexico. She spoke highly of my mom, but she is quite the hard worker herself. She works specifically with children, and is very good with them. Many came to her with a tooth or two that were completely rotted - making them very difficult to pull. 

Gloria managed it.

When the time came to close up shop, I organized and packed her suitcase for her, and we were off on our way back to the hotel. I was so drained at dinner that I barely lifted my head the entire time. 

I am so excited for tomorrow though, it is unbelievable. Tomorrow, I get to finally meet Christen - the little girl I have been sponsoring for the past year and a half. I have gifts for her and her two brothers, but as the time draws near I wonder if they'll like them or if I got gifts for the right ages...I can't remember if her second brother (she has a twin as well) is older or younger.

I AM SO EXCITED!!

Much Love,

*L*