Baloncesto y Una Fiesta

SO this morning I after waking up at 4 am and then 6am thinking it was later than it actually was, I got up at 8 am and left with dave to go see the basketball league that he helped start. They have many kids in the area signed up for this and the board has worked with one of the local middle schools so that they can use the gym for the games. I met many people from the community but one that i will never forget, the man of the hour, Frank. He directs the league now, but also works at the school and is a police officer. The kids absolutely love him and he loves them. I also met Christaina and Gilbert Damian; they are the host family that I will live with for the rest of the summer after this week, and they have two kids Esperanza (Sita) and Beto. Both of their kids played in the basketball league and Christina helps run the snack bar. She talks more than I do (somthing i never thoguh possilbe) and seems to know everyone that came into the gym.

So I was at the gym from 8-11 and the Dave brought me back to his families house so I had designated rest time. Susie and Erin (a lady from their church) were working on finances and I talked with them for a while and then was able to take a nap for a little bit because Christina ans Gilbert asked if I wanted to come with them to a friends baptism for the afternoon. Their neighbors are catholic and Gilberts family has deep catholic roots. So we dressed up and went to St. Fransis. The pace of life here is quite a bit slower than I am used to and I have found that people tend to come to things when ever they can make it. There isn’t a strick time when you need to be some where. It is really different than I am used to but I am really loving the flexibility and the laied back attitude that many of the families that I have met here have. So we made it to the baptism actually an hour later than we were supposed to be there. But when we got their Christian intuduced me to everyone as her adopted daughter for the summer and they all welcomed me like I was so distant cousin. We even took a picture together with the whole family there when it was they first time i had met them. I was so surprised, when I went to go shake Christian and Gilberts neighbors hands( it was their daughter that was baptized), the wife came in and kissed me of the check. I was not expecting that and was a bit surprised and then realized that it was just how they greated people. So then everytime I was introduced to people it just became normal because that is what everyone did, even the deacon who baptized their daughter. SO many things I am getting used to!

Once people started to leave the church they went back to the neighbors house where they had so many talbe set up and tons of Mexican food. Muy deliciosa y sabrosa! It was a fantastic night. It was great being able to spend time sith Christian, Gilbert, Sita, and Beto. They are wonderful people and I am really grateful that they are opening their house to me this summer.

Tomorrow is my first time at church and with the holiday weekend we are doing church out side at the park. IT is the first time ever that they have done this and I am excited to go! Plese pray for the community here and the people who are struggleing for ends meet and problems in their lives. After going to the basketball league today it was great seeing lots of parent involvement, but I also know that that isn’t the case for everyone in this community.

Living Under The Influence,

Kristen

Everyone needs compassion,
Love that's never failing;
Let mercy fall on me.

Everyone needs forgiveness,
The kindness of a Saviour;
The Hope of nations.

Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save.

Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave.

So take me as You find me,
All my fears and failures,
Fill my life again.

I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in,
Now I surrender.

My Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave.

Shine your light and let the whole world see,
We're singing for the glory of the risen King...Jesus