WRAP UP

We would all be staying on campus today for work projects. Back2Back has some big dreams and God is well on his way to turning those dreams into physical reality. The different boys and girls homes have been constructed with families living in each home this fall. Each home has either boys, or girls who are invited from the children’s homes to further their education while living in the “Hope Program” with host families.
Education stops after what would we would consider our second year of high school.We painted the remaining home, ( a lovely color of green and light blue) with some outside brown as well. Also, some of our team ran electric which was no small task throughout the home. Another group moved the remaining items from Matt and Julie’s former living quarters to their new house. And some of our ladies finished their day helping sort all the donations and wrap birthday presents for the kids of Monontial who would hang out with us in the afternoon for a birthday/graduation party.
After lunch, “The CHILDREN ARE HERE!” was yelled across campus and it was time to play hard. The girls and boys swim individually so the ladies took first swim while the boys played soccer. We switched off a couple of times and had a blast. I got to help August on the grill cook the “red hot dogs”. It was hot, and I thought, “Why not serve by this flaming grill and cook food that I cannot eat?” (Character before comfort!)The kids were fed a feast of red hot dogs, nachos, jalepenos, cheetos, other hot condiments, lemonade, and one massive cupcake-cake-thing. Our students served each and every kid with a smile, a giggle, a “tee-hee” if you will. Then we handed out what would be these kid’s only birthday present that they would get, (since they literally have nobody but us). That was very special. Imagine Christmas morning….literally!
They ripped open their gifts with such joy and enthusiasm. I saw one of my friends open her new school jeans. I saw a young boy open his 5-car Matchbox set. Another boy had his new soccer video game.We gathered one last time with these kids and just spent a few moments praying. Our students prayed for us, and their kids prayed for us. We loaded them on the bus after many hugs and “I love you’s” and waved goodbye. We immediately got to cleaning up our party mess because soon it would be Market time and then….wait for it……mmmmm…..Taco’s Fede!
Instead of taking us into town like sheep to the slaughter, they set up market items and our kids bought some goods. I won’t reveal those goods in case someone back home is the recipient of those wonderful gifts. Then we loaded the bus with crazed anticipation for a ride downtown that has become “Lifeline Tradition” on the last night on campus…..wait for it…..mmmmm…Taco’s Fede.
We pulled into our spot, unloaded and sat down for a feast of feasts. I could hardly wait for DC to bite into a “Gringa” taco. We ate so much food that the heavens parted and a ray of light shined down upon where we sat. It was a great night at Taco's Fede.We got back to campus and had our devotional time down by the pool since all the other groups were already well into their time together.
We circled up our chairs and Ted shared with us not to forget our time in Mexico. After that, Stephen Smith had asked me before we had left if he could be baptized in Mexico. What a special moment for all of us to see that public display and declaration of faith. DC and I went with Stephen into the pool and baptized him as our team witnessed this special moment.After that, DC had us turn to John 13:1-5.
We had Katie read the passage about Jesus washing his disciples feet as DC and I would do the same with our team. It would be a highlight for all of us.
Friday was cleaning day on campus. Our team cleaned the entire boys and girls dorms, eating area, and helped pack up donations, dirty clothes, and scrubbed toilets! We had lunch and then packed up the bus and headed to Horsetail Falls. It is an amazing waterfall that the team gave a "double thumbs up" to. We loaded on the bus for a 2 hour trip to our hotel, unloaded again, and ate at Las Alitas, ("The Wings").
Our devotion time would conclude by the pool and after the prayer, it was time to jump in the pool fully clothed.
Hotel Security came out and asked to speak with me. They said pants in the pool would be dangerous. I asked where that was in the pool rules but got no response to that question. So now I'm finishing up my thoughts while 29 people are jammed into my hotel room flipping the channel, using Shea's new whip, and getting my bed wet because we just jumped in the pool. We are on the plane tomorrow at 10am and I'm going to end this and work on photos.Adios!