Here we go!

The Program and Training Manager's wife is a yoga instructor and she gave a free class to all the volunteers who wanted it. It was exactly what our bodies needed. After which we went to the shack behind the PC office for dinner. It was similar to the other 'fast food' place except this one had 4 empanadas for $1 BZE. There was this cute little boy who was playing with a calculator, mainly just smushing the numbers. This family spoke Spanish so I asked him in Spanish what 4-2 was. He just stared at me so I pushed the four and said quarto, then instructed him on how to press the other buttons. It was so cute when the 2 popped up a quick wave of excitement and pride flashed across his face (which he quickly controlled to keep his cool in front of his older brother who mumbled dos unamused).

An average breakfast and the headquarters.

Last night we went to a 'Children's House' which is like an orphanage but many of the children have parents that had to give them up because they couldn't afford to raise them. There were narrow hallways with doors every 10 feet or so. Inside the rooms there were bunk beds lining both walls about 5 or 6 bunk beds deep. Zan, Kathy, and Amy (other PC trainees) were helping to sow the 100 uniform dresses needed so the children could go to school on Monday. One of the sewing machines was broken so I decided to just play with the kids. One little girl latched onto me the whole time. All the kids were very interested in my band aid from my hep A vaccine. They wanted to see the 'dot'. and then ask me again and again why. One kid got this shocked look and thought I got shot!

A little girl who was 9 took me by the hand and asked if I wanted to come to the devotional. A nightly worship service the kids do themselves in the 'living room.' There were around 30 kids and we all pilled onto the couches. The ages were 3 months to 17 years. The older kids started undoing and redoing braids on the younger ones and there were no adults just self directed songs and service by the kids. We sang about 6 songs (during which I tried to keep the two on my lap and the little one beside me occupied and teaching me the words). After the great songs one of the older girls stood on her tip toes to get the tattered bible from a high shelf. She then read about a page from the bible. Then she asked people what they know. All around the room kids would state "I know dat... and in kriol recite back the verses almost verbatim. There was one older boy playing an electric ukulele throughout the songs and then quietly for the bible reading. After which some of the kids wanted me to read to them, they brought me lots of different bible story books and I attempted to read over the boys favorite past time...wrestling.

The orphanage 'Mamma'asked us what languages we were going to learn for our training. Amy and I said K'echi and she said there was one girl who spoke it! She became my tutor for the next 20 minutes, but she would only tell me how to say things when no one was listening so it was a little difficult. Finally after a while I asked her if I could just record her saying the phrases and then I could have them to practice forever. She did a great job (she was 13). Around this time it was getting late and the little 2 year old girl that was my little side kick started getting fussy. When I went to put her in her bed she started crying and said something in Kriol fast that I couldn't understand. My tutor translated "she said she doesn't live here" WHAT? She then pointed to the bed and repeated it. The little girl started pointing down the hall to where she 'lived' her bottom bunk in a room down the hall. I tucked her in then went to say goodbye to everyone. On the way out the 9 year old and I stopped in to say goodnight to her. She had a pout on her face and I hugged her and asked her if she wanted to take one last picture (she took one million with my camera earlier in the night...one of my necklace...of the bird...of the other kids. She nodded and we took a somber last picture. I will try to visit them on Fridays.

So today is a big day...we go to our CBT sites (community based training). We were issued our mosquito nets and we know officially we'll be learning K'echi! No one could sleep last night out of excitement and nerves...I woke up every hour! We will live with our host families for 5 weeks. Here we go!

Also, greg shaved his head!