SUPERfriends

Sorry, friends...we've been SUPER tired the past couple of nights and haven't given you any specifics, but get ready because we're about to unload on you.

The past couple of days have been fantastic, both in lesson and rotations in the afternoon. The kids are opening up in family group during discussion time, and we've learned so much about them in the last two days. We've talked about pain and conflict and plan to end on courage tomorrow.

The name of the game this week in activity has been "flexibility." Planned activities have gone a little awry, but our need for structure has taken second place to the kids having fun, which is what's most important, anyway.

Craft has gone well, and we can tell the ones they've loved because a hush falls over the room as they create. It's been silly, too, as it should be with kids--today's activity being a perfect example. We finger painted with the kids on pieces of fabric and Lindsay walked by two kids just as they were high-fiving with hands covered in paint and ended up being covered in paint herself.

We've been able to stay late almost every night, which is partly why we're so tired, but is also such a blessing. That extra time with the kids is so incredibly important for bonding. We showed sponsor videos one night, which included lots of laughter and emotion from all of the kids. It really helped them see what a huge community of supporters is behind them at Woods Chapel.The next night, we stayed to watch The Avengers and several of us got some great cuddle time in. These kids crave being held so badly, and movie night is the perfect evening for that to happen.

Tonight, we threw a birthday party for all of the kids. We decked out the room in superhero party decorations and balloons, and sang happy birthday and ate treats. We wanted the kids to feel special and since we can't be here on all of their birthdays, this was our substitute. We played Bingo as well, and Shawn entertained the kids with silly voices calling out the numbers. He wore out three translators in the process.

We also hung up the handprints poster from all of you during the party and several of the kids loved seeing your messages and your "wave" from miles away.Watching kids open your sponsor gifts was also an incredible highlight of the past couple of days. We can't stress enough what a privilege it is to all of us to be your representatives here and to help these kids feel more connected to all of you. Watching them read your letters and look at your faces in photos helps us see how genuinely they love you, and how connected they feel to each and every one of you. There's something magical that happens in those moments that is undeniably from God.

We've got a lot more planned in the next couple of days, so stay tuned!