Ninos Hermosos

The camp has been great! There are about 30 children. 12 from ages 4-6, 7 ages 7 and 8, and then 7ish ages 10-13. They all speak mostly Spanish. Some in the older two groups speak English, because they have to learn it in school. They help us and we can ask them how to say things. I can tell they get frustrated with me sometimes but they are patient.

Again, the children love the girls. The middle group of girls love Naphtali. She has made a great friend named Anna (7 years old). Anna stays late and eats lunch with us while she waits for her parents. She helps me feed Tilly. She washes her hand and cleans her face. She also follows her around and holds her hand, helps her walk, and climb up on chairs. It is so cute! Ainsley has claimed three girls in the oldest group as her BFFs. They are Marta, Luna and Marina. They are all 11 and 12 years old. They are patient with her, and since they speak some English they can understand some of what Ainsley is saying.

However, both Ainsley and Naphtali have struggled some. They both get tired, as they are trying to adjust to the schedule. Ainsley had a hard time being in her classes away from Chris and I for the first three days. She is doing better know but she is still one of the youngest in the group, so at times has a hard time paying attention for so long, especially with the language barrier. The teachers do speak English but they are trying to speak Spanish for the other children. Tilly is also fed up sometimes. She is starting to yell at the kids and try to bit them when they won’t stop touching her. They all want to poke her cheeks, hold her hands, and stroke her head. She is great with it most of the time, but when she is tired she lets them know to “no toque!”

Until, today Tilly has really been screaming. She keeps saying Mama constantly, and won’t let me put her down. One night when we were getting ready for bed I needed to put Tilly down so I could get dressed and she screamed and pulled on me the entire time. It was really starting to overwhelm me and make me feel like a horrible mother. I thought what have I done to my child. This is too hard for our family. But today we rounded a corner! She started to sleep better so I think that is the key. At first, Ainsley, Tilly and I were all sleeping in one bed because Tilly would wake up and see me, then the Mama would start again and I would have to bring her into bed with Ainsley and I. But she is sleeping better at night and we have figured out if she takes a short nap on me (in the carrier – thanks Melody!!) in the morning then she takes a longer nap in one of the classrooms after the kids leave and the staff is cleaning up and having lunch. It is working out! Thank you so much for your prayers.

So the camp has certainly had it challenges and I think I started my storming process at the end of last week. I was missing home, not feeling confident in my abilities with the language, teaching, or interacting with the kids. But the weekend was a great time with family and God. We had a wonderful time of worship on Sunday night with the staff and this morning (Monday, July 4) was much better. I attribute it to God but it might also be that the girls slept well last night (However, that is God too)! But I think we are headed into the norming stage. Who knows I will probably go back and forth!! J

If you want to see pictures of the children you will have to go to Aslan Performing Arts Centre's facebook page. They are the only ones allowed to post pictures of the kids. I have a link to their facebook page on my facebook profile. So instead I have posted pictures of the staff and the school getting ready for the camp.