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Tuesday, February 11, 2014

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Sister Ada meet us at 9 and told us what Mother thought we should do.  We will be teaching English to the 25 girls and nuns & novices...starting today at 3.  We worked on lesson plans, walked around looking for picture books, checked out websites for learning English, wandered through a huge market and spotted a Dominoes Pizzaria...guess where we ate lunch!!  When we arrived at the girl's home....they were all sitting in their chairs with notebooks & pencils in hand wearing their school uniforms.  We spent the next hour teaching...with lots of giggles & effort and hopefully lots of learning.  Next the girls eagerly led us to their surprise...they had made us a cake...it was a real treat especially since their smiles surrounded us.  Then we all walked to a fenced in playground while the whole time the girls were asking ¨¨¿Como se dice?¨and pointing at all the objects they wanted us to name.  They asked us to play with them in a vigorous game of soccer which totally wore us out.   After many good byes and see you tomorrow...we walked back to our hotel.  

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After our warm welcome, Mother Rutilia met with us and after explaining how and why we had come, she made a call to Rita (our nephew´´s inlaw's housekeeper) thanking her for sending us.  Then Sister Ada (who speaks excellent English), Mother & us walked a short distance to where about 25 girls from difficult backgrounds, were being cared for by the Sisters.   Again, we were greeted with songs, clapping, and jubilant chants.  Then the girls proudly showed us their home.  Simple but very neat and organized.  All of us got us a great laugh when they showed us where they would put their extra clothes...and it was empty.  Each of them hugged us as we left, chanting Thank you and Will you be our Godparents?  An old pick up truck was waiting for us and we went about 4km to another site where the Sisters were caring for many girls who had been sent to them by the police as many had been raped and had no home.  Several had babies.  Once more, we were welcomed with songs, chants, clapping and hugs.  We toured their facilities which included a dorm with 20 beds...triple bunks...classrooms where academics were taught as well as skills:  jewelry making, baking, hair dressing, sewing, and computers...all set up and supplied by USA donors.  Finally, we were taken to a hotel where Mother had arranged for us to stay.  It was the nicest place in town...for about $35 per night.  Sister Ada and two other young Sisters followed us to our room...wide eyed as they had never been inside the hotel before and after agreeing to meet ustomorrow at 9, they gave us hugs & left.  We fell on our bed, totally overwhelmed by the outpouring of love & care and were soon asleep...with prayers of thanksgiving.  We eagerly await tomorrow!