Day 16

Today was unlike most in the beginning. I woke up at 7:30 feeling quite perky and walked over for breakfast, only to find that everyone else was still asleep. It didn´t take long for the hustle to start, so it wasn´t much of a waste.

Breakfast was interesting with all the people from Austin. Again, great food. Again, so much different when there are other people here. The Madres told me it was important that I sit down and let them serve me because I was a ¨resident¨ now and shouldn´t interfere with the guests. I thought that was kind of special for them to say and made me feel really good about the impression they have of me being here.

After breakfast Chris and I did our laundry and then filled up two laundry baskets full of water balloons. After showing off my pinpoint accuracy with a rubber waterbomb, I realized the Madres weren´t really happy with the girls being drenched. I then fell asleep while talking to everyone and apparently napped most of the afternoon away. By the time I woke up it was time to head out to the Colonias for mass and the fiesta. Unfortunately, I didn´t wake up in time to play soccer with all the kids out there, but I promised them I would very soon. There were also errands to be ran with Ephrian, and he needed me for an extra driver to get them all done.

After loading up a ton of food and drinks, tables, and candy of course, we headed out. At mass it was pretty much what I expected - a lot of kids, 10 or so families, and then a bunch of people waiting around for the food. I´m not sure why exactly, but people there are very shy about getting together in groups. I can think of some possible reasons, but I would be assuming. Afterwards some really great people stuck around to talk and I played more with the kids that I know. Sapo (you know who you are), no matter how many times I tell them you aren´t here right now, they keep asking for you.

Afterwards we stocked the library that we put in place with more books and visited some of the families that couldn´t make it due to one reason or another. It´s a tough place to get around and with any kind of disability it is impossible to get around. Again and again though, I see nothing but happiness in the face of the kids out there. The adults look quite a bit more worn down but who can blame them. Years of that kind of living has to wear on the body and the soul.

Then it was back to Casa Hogar for dinner and movies. On Saturday nights the older girls get to stay up late and watch TV or do whatever they like. Tonight it was Just Married and How To Lose A Guy In Ten Days - in Spanish. I will never get used to dubbing. Seeing Matthew Mcgonaughey´s mouth move with a Mexican voice coming out is too odd for me. It was a lot of fun though and it gave me a chance to get a lot closer to some of the older girls that normally get very overtaken by the little ones.

It´s now very late, and I´m very tired. Tomorrow is another big day and I am really looking forward to it.