Finally Friday

Wow has this been a busy last 8 days. Last Friday was the big graduation day for the kindergarten class at the Casa de la Amistad. The morning was spent preparing the decorations and comidor area. The kids and teachers had arranged their room for and open house exposition of some of their work this year. Around 11:00 they gave a presentation of dances that they had been rehearsing for the last few months with the help of a lady from Alaska (who is bolivian herself). In the afternoon at 2 was the formal graduation program. The class came in and onto a stage built just for the moment in their cap and gowns. There were a few speaches, a song from the class and the presentation of certificates. Brian also prepared a speach and presented the director the group graduation photo that we had sponsered. It was one of those moments where I just sat at the head table and cried. These children had touched my life and I was so honored to be here. It didn't matter how much I tried to stop the tears flowed. This was the last day for this group of kinders until next year mid February.

Following the festivities we had Kallie ( and inter student here for 3 months from Saskatoon) stay at our house for the weekend. Saturday was her 20th birthday and we wanted to be sure she wasn't alone. Saturday morning we had home made cinnamon buns for breakfast. Kallie and I went shopping in the afternoon as she wanted to find some gifts for her family before she leaves. That evening we were off for a dual birthday dinner with some other friends.

Tuesday there was a track and field race in which Sarah ran 5km in 32min 08secs. WOW. We were so proud considering she has never done any running before and this time she ran at 8000 ft above sea level. Good job baby!

The rest of the week of course just flies by with the daily routine of life and a few extra meetings thrown in just to be sure we're good and tired by the time the weekend starts.

Today I had a brief moment of pure joy. Brian and I were walking from the Baptist centre over to the Casa and as we passed by the corner at the men's prison one of the little girls from the kinder class was waiting for her mom. They had just come out of the prison from visiting her dad. When Lennie saw me she threw her arms around me with a big smile and yelled TIA!!.
This I will ponder and treasure in my heart.
Please today pray for Lennie and her family that their future will not be a life in the streets but one filled with hope and a future.

Norma