Day Six: Monday 28 November 2016

Day 6 saw the team get back into the rotations of feeding, construction and painting. Yellow began the day digging out the space for a septic tank. Six feet by six feet, the red team completed the ditch after lunch. The yellow team was met with the challenging reality that not everyone is able to be given aid. An elderly woman asked for money but with nothing on them to give, the team struggled with the confrontation of a need they were unable to address.

The red team headed off to the Journey Centre in the morning. They painted both the railings and walls of the centre, continuing to develop a fresh look for Journey for Hope. Later into the day red switched over to the construction as yellow left for a feeding. The kids' laughter and energy ensured it was not only the team providing joy for the children but the children bringing warm smiles to the team members' faces.

For the blue team the day started with a trip out to Tent City. The team served out the regular lugau along with balloons and pipe-cleaner novelties. Kids constantly swarmed the team as they handed out the items, excited by the visit. A crowd of the children gathered to watch Yami and Matvey play basketball against some of the boys. The constant humidity ensured the experience was met with lots of sweat but the smiles of the children definitely ensured the visits are worth it.

Later blue team went out to Journey for Hope continuing with the painting the other teams had begun on previous days. A stencil for the ministry’s logo was also drawn on the side of the building in preparation for its painting tomorrow (shoutout to Yami). While at the Journey Centre the blue team ran devotions both acting out the actions to “My God is so Big” and a small skit about King Saul. The team finished off the session with a craft, involving the kids as they created mini King Sauls out of paper cups. Spending direct time with the Journey children, having only the one team of students at the centre, allowed for greater bonding with the kids.

After dinner at the children’s home the blue team repeated their skit for the children there. Following the short devotions the team, along with half of the yellow team, enjoyed quality time playing with the boys and girls; dancing, playing basketball and the classic ‘red light green light’. At the Journey for Hope Centre the red team, joined by the rest of the yellow team, provided a bible study for the children and teenagers.

Day 6, a little more relaxing in contrast to the previous days, but nonetheless full of opportunities to serve both God and others. As the team has been encouraged through nightly devotions from Mr Butson, they were given the chance to love God, love others and do stuff.

Paul – love you lots bae, stay strong without me, also love you mum dad and gloria

Yami – love you mum, dad and maya

Shei – hola familia, estamos todos bien saludos y feliz cumpleanos a Manuela. Los quiero mucho.

Cath – shoutout to benny jen