Day Seven, Eight & Nine

Sorry for the delay in posting. The past few days have been a blur. This post is being constructed as we sit in the Caracas airport for almost six hours waiting on our flight to Miami. We arrive back in Atlanta just before midnight. Many of us have to work on Monday and are dreading getting up tomorrow! NOTE: We'll post the pictures later today. Ran out of time and need to get on our flight!

Day Seven:

Day seven was one filled with laughter and tears. We started off the morning eating breakfast, preparing for the day and playing games with the boys before lunch. We had a great time teaching the boys some new games as well as playing some familiar ones. We learned the evening before that Cezar (one of the boys) had decided that he was going to leave Proyecto Jonas. We were all very sad at this decision. Laurel and Shane spoke with Cezar the eveing before about our desire to see him stay and finish the program. Lunch was delicious as usual. The volunteers that cooked for us did a fantastic job at every meal. We all (Americans and Venezuelans) gathered downstairs to watch the World Cup futbol (soccer) match between South Africa and Mexico. The game ended in a 1-1 tie. The love of futbol surpasses cultures and language.

After the World Cup match, the day took a more serious turn. Today was the day that the boys received their monthly evaluation of their progress. We were invited to view the evaluations first hand. What an experience it was. The counselor, psychologist & director (Jhonny, Claudia & Flohr), who are normally very jovial with the boys got down to the serious business of telling the boys where they had improved and where they had weakened in their recovery. The boys listened intently to their praises and their criticism. There were a lot of tears. During the evalations Cezar reiterated his desire to leave Proyecto Jonas.

Following the evaluations, we headed to the local soccer field (a modified basketball court) to play a little grudge match. However, when we arrived there was a local group of boys who were playing. We split up into two teams and had to challenge the locals to several 2 point games where winner stayed on the field. Needless to say, they wiped the field with us several times. We were defeated, yet still proud.

In the evening we were split up into two groups to have dinner at the homes of some of the church members. The meals were absolutely delicious. We got to hear directly from the church members about Proyecto Jonas started and how it has become what it is today. We spoke on things such as politics, religion and life. It was such a pleasure getting to know some of the members of such a foward thinking church.

Day Eight:

Day eight was an exciting day. We were going SHOPPING! We started out with a quick breakfast and then loaded up in the van with several Jonas staff. They took us to a local market where we could buy some of the local arts and crafts. We had such a wonderful time shopping that no one took pictures! Can you believe it?! So that you have an idea of what it was like close your eyes and imagine an outdoor market full of local arts and crafts. Throw in several television sets playing the world cup and only speak Spanish. Now you've got it. No pictures needed!

After a few hours of shopping we returned to watch the most important match of the world cup this week. The USA vs. England. It was a great match. Although we didn't win, we tied England 1-1.

We had a wondful lunch of pasta and meat. We ate outside on the covered porch with all the boys and Jonas staff. After lunch it was time for a short siesta. In the afternoon, the boys made us friendship bracelets out of string.

In the late afternoon the team and the boys gathered to talk about our lives and testimonies. It was a time of openess and sharing. There were many comparisions drawn between the lives of our team members and the boys. David was the last to share his testimony. He felt led to ask the boys if they knew that they would be in God's presence if their lives were over. Four boys said they did not know if they would be with God. David asked if they wanted that assurance. Three boys replied yes and were led in a prayer of salvation! Praise God! Three boys who are now children of God! It was a happy time for all.

In the evening Francisco brought out a few minute to win it games that we hadn't played yet. It's amazing what you can do with empty coke cans and cardboard and rubber bands!

Day Nine -

We got up very early to leave for our 9:10am flight from Barquisimeto to Caracas. We made it on time thanks to KJ and Dave pushing Francisco to be on time and packing the van in advance. We arrived safely in Caracas and have a five hour wait until our flight to Miami. All on the team have been so good about immersing ourselves in the Venezuelan culture, including eating the local foods. However, as we are preparing to return to the United States we felt that it was a good idea to start to acclimate ourselves back into our own culture. How did we do that? By eating at TGI Fridays in the Caracas airport, of course. Fried Macaroni and Cheese, Potato Skins, Chicken Fingers, etc.

Summary -

It has been a great trip. We have learned and loved more than we thought was possible. As it usually happens with mission trips, you get so much more out of the trip than you expect! We will be glad to get home and visit with friends and family.

Adios!

Follow on note:

We barely made our connection flight in Miami! David was the last one on the plane (which they held for him) and sprinted to the gate. Everyone on board applauded as he arrived, sweating profusely. We all arrived in Atlanta around midnight - tired, yet glad to be home. Our bags were not so lucky. Due to our late arrival into Miami, they did not make it to the connecting flight to Atlanta. I don't believe anyone was that worried about them though....

We are all glad to be home (thank the Lord for hot showers!).

Venezuela - Day 7, 8 and 9