Bishop Craig Schweitzer

This post has been submitted by team member Kara Burrer.

Today we painted the primer on the outside of the house at the second worksite. It’s been my favorite job so far! A little girl named Sophia who is the niece of the people we are building the house for lives next door. She played with me by singing the riddles that you do with another person with your hands. I think we did that for a good 15 minutes. It’s kind of frustrating sometimes not knowing what they say but it’s awesome to see how you can really interact.

This afternoon we had our culture activity. We made puppy chow for the Cristo Rey Church. They loved it! We played tag and hide and seek with some kids. All the kids had a blast with the piñata and balloons. I also got to hold the cutest baby girl! Her mom looked to be about only sixteen years old. It’s amazing how fast the kids become attached to you and how fast you adore them. You leave feeling like you are family.

This has been my first experience on an international mission trip. It has certainly opened my eyes. It’s made me realize how blessed I really am!

Today’s post is from Pastor Dell Sanderson.

This is Dell Sanderson, a tag along pastor from Morris, MN.

One of the things that struck me today was a small incident.  I’ve discovered that balloons are an automatic indication of play when I blow them up for kids (and for most adults for that matter).  In church at home we have a worship service where kids get to hit balloons around during a hymn.  They play and the adults join in.  At the end of worship the kids can take a balloon home.

When I broke out the balloons here most of the kids didn’t play.  They scrambled among themselves to get one and then held onto them tightly because they were afraid of losing it.  It reminded me that it’s hard to play, feel secure, laugh, and love freely when you are in a survival mode.  No doubt they are a reflection of their parents.

I coaxed a boy, Alexandro, to just play freely for about 10 minutes.  We batted the balloon around and found a way that we could press our faces against the opposite sides of the balloon and laugh at each other’s flattened face.  I think I heard God laugh too.

I’d like to think we can create windows of hope with children and families.  I’d like to think that we can help create a space where basic needs are met so children can play and adults can feel at peace in heart, soul, and mind.  But I’d also like to think we can learn that just as there is a scarcity of life when you don’t have enough there can be a scarcity of life when you have too much.

To play, to receive love, to love, and to give God praise; this is why we have stuff.