Day 5 - Ciao!

Our last day. We're leaving our hearts at Puerta del Cielo today. And it's hard.  But God will never leave.  He has plans for these children.  They have a future in Christ.  And it's comforting and reassuring to realize we are not their saviors, HE is.  

We wrote on their wall:

Jeremias 29:11

Porque yo se muy bien los planes que tengo para ustedes - dice el senor - planes de bien, no de mal a fin de daries un futuro y una esperanza.

Jeremiah 29: 11

 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

So they can remember. Our prayer is they will always know they have a powerful God on their side, not dependent on the Americans who visit them. 

To make our last day special, we packed in a lot of activities.  We had a bible lesson about storing your treasures in heaven.  The grand finale was a carnival complete with decorations and games, balloons and face painting.  And candy.  LOTS of candy. We handed out bibles and Messi Argentine soccer jerseys to every child.  

Thank you for continued prayer for us.  Thank you for donating.  Thank you for loving these children through us.  And as a grand finale for you, please enjoy an extra dose of pictures!  

CIAO!

Day Four - Movies and McDonalds!

Today was a much anticipated day for the children.  They could not stop asking when it was time to go to the movies, they were so very excited.  But the movie didn't start until later in the day so we occupied their time with another Hora Feliz bible lesson.  Alexis read to them from the Jesus Storybook Bible about heaven.  She told them about Jesus on his throne and how there will be no more sadness, everyone is happy! We then made crowns and colored heavenly pictures.

       

       

Ryan continued his work on the mural.  He was able to complete the tree today!

The time came for us to have lunch and head to the movies but the weather was not cooperating.  It rained yesterday and they were calling for severe storms and hail today, right at the time we were supposed to walk about 10 blocks to the theater.  We were told by Liliana that maybe we shouldn't go and just change our plans to go tomorrow.  The problem was that we had not brought anymore of our activities from the hotel to the orphanage and there were not any drivers available to take us back to get them.  We quickly circled up and prayed over the weather, asking God to calm the storms and to minimize disappointment if we could not go.  2pm came and the rain had not started so we loaded all of the kids into cars and we walked and met them at the theater.  Not ten minutes after we were inside, the clouds let loose and it poured!  We were all safe and dry inside, ready to watch our movie.  God is so good!

We watched Rio 2 and then headed to McDonalds for our merienda. We all ate happy meals and the kids loved getting the toys and even kept their boxes.  The rain had stopped (Thank you Jesus!) and we walked back to the orphanage, the kids carried their boxes all the way home.  

It was a long day, but fulfilling day.  We head back tomorrow for our last time with a surprise carnival planned.  Can't wait to share that with you tomorrow!