EMT Day 5

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

It’s not that there were no photographic opportunities – those abound here. But from the moment we arrived at the school this morning Jackie and I were inundated with requests:

• We need more scissors.

• The TPR lesson went well; can we do the puzzles now?

• Can you show me how to access this website?

• Are there any bandaids?

• It’s Axel’s birthday; come sing and have cake.

• Will you drive with Jhonny and Pity to the store?

Before I knew it the teaching part of the day was over and it was time to paint. But I did manage a stop on the patio (playground) to round up my troops to start hauling the paint and brushed upstairs. Within seconds of entering the gate I felt 2 little arms around my legs, clinging. "Miss Jan, Miss Jan!" It was my sweet Rubi.

Rubi is 5 years old. She has been at the Love and Hope School since age 3. For her it is a sanctuary. She comes to school with bruises frequently and on some days her backpack has clothes for the next day because she is not sure if she can go home. At the school, she is learning that God, her heavenly father, will never hurt her but sent His son for her.

My husband and I have sponsored Rubi for 3 years through a program called Between Amigos. Our monthly donation of $45 covers her tuition, uniform, books, health care and 2 meals a day. Rubi’s sister Paola is sponsored by Drew Vincent, a recent Whitefield grad. In fact, many of the EMT members sponsor children.

At Whitefield’s Lower School Musical this past May, many families pledged to sponsor children from the Love and Hope School. This week we have the privilege of delivering cards and gifts to the children here from their sponsor families in Atlanta. For information, see the link to CVI on the EMT webpage (under Student Life.)

When we leave next Tuesday to come home, it will be bittersweet. I will get to see my boys, but I will miss my Rubi.

Thank you all for your support in prayer this week. Please lift up our last day of teaching and painting tomorrow. We have been blessed with little illness but are looking forward to a restful weekend. Monday will culminate our trip with a celebration at the school including popcorn and a movie, in English of course.

Mama Llama