Esperanza 2016 Day 3: Tuesday

The day is not yet complete and we'll have two high schoolers share all the details but in broad strokes so far we were able to visit the Esperanza clinic and meet one of the sister's who serves their community the cost is very low to help those most in need. She gave us a tour and helped us to understand all they do, from physicians treating them to dental work and youth vacation bible school for two weeks in the summer (something the kids start counting down for a month before summer comes. Many people's donations make it possible for them to serve and prevent deformities in the babies through care for the mother during pregnancy. A good day of work, moving a lot of gravel and dirt, gives everyone a great appetite and the family we are helping and their neighbors made a wonderful meal that we at arthem site, it's hard to tell what was the favorite, the delicious meal or the opportunity to rest :) it's been a wonderful experience. The welcome and warmth and work the mother has done is inspiring, and her son is always smiles when he interacts with us and loves to watch the progress.

Today we woke up early and ate breakfast right away. Right after breakfast we had a small trip to the Esperanza clinic and learned about a major problem they face in the health field. This problem is that families are living in an old dump, ingesting chemicals which are really unhealthy and causes deformations. Afterwards, we went to our work site where we are tearing down and rebuilding a house. Today we all shovel gravel and made a trench for the retaining wall. Working for five and a half hours in the hot sun, helped us all become sweaty, so we came back to the Esperanza compound to all take showers. When we were all clean, the bus was loaded and the music blared all the way to the orphanage!!! As soon as we got there, we were ushered to the backyard to play two different forms of dodge ball. Getting that call for dinner was and amazing thing for us today. As we all got pushed into the dinning hall, Jim Merrill, made and distributed wonderful  balloons in all different shapes and sizes. Every little one clung to Jim. A great time was had after dinner, starting with a balloon sword fight, then some singing and dancing (including the song by Disturbed, Sound of Silence). Just before their bed time, the orphans sang for us and we sang them the song Lean on Me. All of today helped me realize how wonderful my life actually is and changed my whole perspective of life. Thank you all for your support.
-Cameron & David
Immaculate Conception/ Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish.