Days 22-24

I'm in trouble.

This morning I went to pick up the song books that Grandma Perkins has been having me use with the kids in chapel, and they were NOT where I left them. Now, to most people , losing something like this would probably not be a huge issue. To Grandma, these books are as important as the Word itself. Okay. Not quite. Note even close really. But still, you get the picture. Theo told me today that she's had them for 30-40 years. I probably sound insensitive, but I do get it. When she first gave them to me , I grasped how important they are to her. I think they symbolize a better day; one when she was still getting to teach kids in her Good News Club. However, the book I "lost" was not the original. She had color copies made of them last week, and had them laminated. Theo told me that Grandma said each set cost fifty dollars. So, I had to have a talk with Grandma today, and if I don't find the lost one by Friday, I told her I would pay to have a new one made. It sucks, but I do feel horrible. Yet, I know I left it there. I don't know if one of the kids is messing with me, or what exactly happened to it. I just really, really hope it turns up soon. It's crazy that something that would seem so trivial from the outside could almost bring me to tears today. I feel like I've let Grandma down, and that's the last thing I wanted to do. I also feel like now she won't trust me. Gahhhh...

I did find some old copies this afternoon that I taped together, so for tomorrow, we're good to go. Grandma won't let me touch either of the other two laminated copies she made.

Putting that whole matter aside, camp had been going pretty well. My fifth and sixth graders seem to still be having a lot of fun in class. They kept trying to sing in class today, which was hilarious, yet they were disturbing the class down the hall. . . and we weren't getting much done. Oops. At least they are finally bonding. I told them if they work hard tomorrow, Thursday we will have a treasure hunt (putting teamwork and their Goonies watching in to practice). I'm probably more excited about it than they are. Ha! It's going to be great.

I'm worn out , but I'll try to leave you with a few of my recent interactions with the kids. . .

1. Today Kevon told Kate and I that we look alike. Since Kate and I have very different features, and actually look nothing alike, we asked him what on us looks alike. He said... "you guys look alike. Your skin is the same.." and then he said something else, but it was really obscure--like our hair, only it's different colors .. something like that. We told him that if Kate and I look alike, he looks like every other kid in our camp. I think he only sort of understood what we meant, but we were trying to teach him that just because we are the same race doesn't mean that we look alike. We have a similar skin color, but that's about it.

2. Today Justin and I were talking to one of the boys in our class, Ollie. Last night all of us interns went to a baseball game. Jackson has a AAA team, the Braves. Justin asked Ollie if he has ever been to a game. Ollie said he hadn't , but then also said that he's never been to a baseball game of any kind. Ever. He then said he's never even been to a high school football or basketball game. These are the kinds of thing that BLOW MY MIND. Justin and I glanced at each other and then Justin said, "looks like we need to get these kids to a game somehow". I couldn't agree more.

3. Both at church Sunday and today at the market, Kate and I saw kids from our camp. They think it's so weird when they see us outside of camp, and they act funny--like they aren't sure what to say. It's hilarious. I think that they just assume we never leave.

Speaking of the market-- Kate and I saw at least four people that we know there this evening. It made me feel really good--like we're actually getting to know the community.

Well, I need to hit the sack. I've been so tired today. This heat zaps my energy (though I am getting used to it, sort of). Please be praying for our kids,the staff, the interns, and the ministry that's happening here. It has incredible potential. I'll try to post pictures soon. I know some of you all would really like a visual of this place and my kids.

Love and peace,
LH