March team to La Aljaba
posted by Jennifer Ragland — March 25th, 2010
Monday March 22nd
Hello everyone. Just wanted to touch base with you one last time before we begin our long journey home. We’ve had a tremendous two days. The birthday party was a huge success. The soccer game was a huge success for the Colombians, and a humiliation for the Americans. Then we had a big pizza party at the home because the restaurant couldn’t accommodate us at their location. We all went to bed tired and full of joy. Sunday was incredible. We enjoyed a wonderful church service out in a very poor community on the edge of the jungle. It was going fabulous until the deluge hit. Rain and high wind. Everything you’ve ever imagined a terrible Amazon Rain Forrest down pour…. we had it. Incredible. The people just flexed and kept on going. Not much else to do since you can’t stop it. This is after all the Amazon jungle. We all laughed and did our best to stay dry until it passed. We enjoyed a very typical lunch of fresh fish and rice at a restaurant way out at the end of the road. (There are roads here, but none of them escape the jungle. Everything here came via the river or plane.) It was very remote, but we had a great time with some of the kids from the home with us. Sunday night we enjoyed a church service actually at La Aljaba (the home we’re visiting). Today (Monday) we spent the day on the Amazon River. We went to “Monkey Island” and fed wild monkey’s. You’re going to love these photos. Then we spent time watching Pink Dolphins (Yes they exist. Google it!). Then it was a long boat ride home and we’re packed and getting ready to head to the airport. Thank you for all your prayers and support. Our hearts are VERY full, our bodies are a little sun burned and tired, and our clothes smell like the river. But we’ve sure had fun! See you soon.
Saturday March 20th
Hello again everyone. Just wanted to drop you a quick note and assure you we are all fine. Very good. GREAT in fact. We made it safely to Leticia here in the Amazon Jungle. Food has been tasty and abundant. Lodging last night was comfortable and adequate. It rained like crazy during the night and only about half of our group woke up for it. Apparently, we were all tired and sleeping soundly. The kids are soaking up every spare ounce of love they can squeeze out of our bodies. All of us have a child on our back, hip, or in our arms all the time. So you can tell we’re really suffering here. LOL Today is the monthly celebration for children who have birthdays in March. So while I’m typing this the team and the staff here are all outside decorating with balloons and streamers. The huge birthday cake just arrived (by motorcycle – that was a sight to see!) and kids are excitedly running around in anticipation of the party. For lunch we are planning on taking all of them (that’s about 50-60 kids I think) down the street to a sidewalk pizza place. This is a big deal because these children almost never get the chance to eat in a real “restaurant”. So you can imagine the buzz in the air here. This afternoon we’ve been asked (challenged actually) to a soccer match at the local school field. Colombians vs. Gringo’s. I think we’re going to get destroyed, but it should be a fun time for all. Thanks for praying for us.
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