day after father´s day

Hi yall,
I know I´m the worst updater ever! But know that I am well ;) I have been able to talk to my family recently, and that was very encouraging. Even though I typically do not get home sick, it is difficult being away for so long and not be able to call or see people anytime I want.
 That´s not really what I wanted to share about though.

-(just a random, fun day)-
The interns and I took 3 of the girls to the nearby beach on saturday.. just 2 hours of swimming, getting smashed by the waves against rocks ;) looking for crabs, finding pretty rocks, and walking down the streets of acapulco. It was a sweet time that we got to share with just a few of the girls who had finished their chores and wanted to come. I love days like that. It´s always good to get out of the orphanage with a few of the kids and just play. The girls were really sweet and we had a great time. Personal times with the kids always strengthens relationships and helps the girls see that we care.. and it´s just fun hanging out with them. So... Then I was able to get on the bus and go down to the store for a bit just to buy some yogurt and shampoo.

   There is a team here now, from Penn. way up north... so saying ÿall¨is kinda funny to them. They have been here before, and it´s great working with them for the 3rd time now. Imso thankful for the teams that come to Casa Hogar.. you who set aside your time and money to serve.. it´s a blessing to this ministry. Besides the supporters who are godparents to some of the kids, the only way that this orphange can function is through teams coming and providing them with money. It makes me sad that after this week we have a break with no teams for 2 weeks. The director of Casa Hogar was also sad and worried about that. Pray that the Lord provides casa Hogar with sufficient funds. They live day by day dealing with their lack of expenses.. getting by with the food they have just for the day. -yet they generously serve us and always share with us interns.
 So we have a team. And with that comes some funny times, (locking keys in the room, forgetting passports...etc) that reminds us interns of why we are here :) Patience is a daily necessity. I´m also thankful for the love  and the interests they show in each child... wanting to help the ones who have learning dissabilities, physical needs, providing them with clothes.. and just playing with them. The teams are also a great encouagement to me and the rest of the interns. Talking about Casa Hogar so much with the teams, about individual kids and situations, it strengthens my love for this place.
 Today is Monday. We woke up and started construction at 8. We are shoveling, pickaxing, and carrying rocks out of a trench that is being dug. It´s ultimately going to be the water system under the boys dorms... but it´s slow and streadily coming along. The beginning is always the most frustrating for me because I want to see what I am acomplishing right away. how much Im doing and what progress we are making. Ever since the first year, i have loved doing construction. Not only because it´s a workout (and i love to workout;) but because I want to see this orphanage built and reconstructed. ´But when I get frustrated that Im not accomplishing what I want to .. thats when i have to know It´s ultimatey not dependent upon me and my own strength. More than anything, ive been shown my weakness and my inabilities while being here. -my weakness when i rely on my own strength. My (arthritic)body can only do so much. And when I think im super-woman and that everything is dependent upon me, that´s around the time that the Lord shows me my weakness and my pride. Pride seems to be my middle name. And I pray that each day I become humbled as I realize my inabilities. These kids humble me and show that I´m not the end all be all. My spanish stammerings shows me that I have to allow myself to fail and mess up. My arthritis shows me all the time that I have to call upon God for strength. The other interns have shown me how timid I am when it comes to sharing my heart and my faith with others. This is a continuous thing... me realizing my weakness. But with that also comes the realization of how great and powerful God is. And I need to realize that each day. Im not going to change souls, but He can use me here now to show love to these kids. I might not be able to build rooms all by myself. But I can be a part of something great for this orphange.
   So anyway... after construction a few of the team members got to shower but then the water cut off ;) so that was funny. After we ate lunch (which was incredible) I tried to turn on the water hoping beyond hope that i could at least rinse off... and I COULD! the water lasted literally about 10 seconds... but that was enough to get the main layer of sweat and dirt off my arms and legs. It´s always interesting here.

Thats all for now. Keep Casa Hogar in your prayers.