The soldiers arose from their deep slumbers from a state of deep exhaustion and knowledge that they would be helping the children of Nicaragua once more. We filed down to breakfast in a state of hunger - to live in solidarity with our new friends and have some scrumditilyumptious rice and beans for breakfast. After the meal, Sir Freddie corralled us back to the school.
Instead of separating into our usual groups, the students and teachers prepared a performance for us. The talented students graced us with their surprisingly low, quick and vibrating dance moves. The tiny monkeys then stampeded and climbed all over us, as if we were trees, as Paolo gave us candy to give to the children. Petite and rather strong hands thrust themselves up to our bodies, eagerly grabbing for the sweet snacks. Eventually, many of us flung the morsels into the air so that we could transform back into our human forms.
After many performances and kids continually using our bodies as jungle gyms, it was our turn to perform. All of us came together as one the night before to create a purely original dance to Hey Y'all sung acapella by Bridget and Sam and mostly mumbled by the rest of us. We danced with a mixture of shimmying, flipping, kick lining and other odd moves to be met by blank stares from our audience. The blank stares were a clear indication of the "extraordinary" nature of our dancing ability.
We were then warmly invited on the stage by the director and some of the children. They thanked us for our time and told us at length of their gratitude for helping them to better the school. The children enthroned us with medals from International Samaritan, accompanied by tight hugs.
Because we would not see the young children in the morrow, we all told our new little boyfriends, families and friends good-bye. It was hard for all of us since they so willingly latched (literally) on to us and stole our hearts. Without any thought, these children fully gave themselves up to us, welcomed us wholeheartedly and loved us for just being there to play with and be with them.
These kids have taught us to be grateful for what we have and be completely thankful for the people in our lives. People come and go in our lives - all of them leave us a lesson. We must take the people in our lives - give ourselves up for those that will help us grow - and hold them as tightly as possible for as little and long as we can. Just by our presence there, they loved and cherished us.
As we played with the children, Mr Keiper and Mrs Huffman slyly slunk away to buy uniforms and clothes for an especially deserving family. The family accompanied them to the market, and very humbly asked for new flip flops, shirts, etc. As the girl's beaming face looked up at them, she hugged them firmly and thankfully. Because they offered to give her anything she needed and wanted (within reason), Maria (in her wee voice) asked for a cell phone. Unfortunately, a cell phone could not be given to her. Later in the day, she just could not help but show off those new flip flops with the colorful flowers to the rest of us.
Lunch came as a welcome break amidst the soaking sweat and exhaustion. After another perfect meal of rice, we split into our respective groups to continue with the work.
The teachers joined the cement workers and continued to mix and pour, mix and pour. The trenchers picked up their paxes and shovels and successfully finished the ducts that would transport the clean water in and the dirty water out. We were all making progress when the director once again called us to the center of the courtyard to dance.
All of us girls boogied to the latino music as all of the afternoon classes looked on smiling and cheering us (and our lack of dance moves) on. Some rather excited boys with the principal and director joined us in the middle to dance and gave us our very own taste of Latino dancing. We were glad to learn, but we will not be able to bring them back to the states, seeing as they were in clear violation of the NDA dance contract.
Once done, we packed up for the day and headed for the hiper mercado. En la hiper mercado, we gathered supplies of rice, beans, soap, pasta and an assortment of other basic necessities to give to fourteen families that really need our help. On Friday, we will give them their gifts.
We cannot help but be touched by the people of this country. They are so kind and so willing to trust us. Even though we felt our contribution was very small and insignificant at points, the people make us feel as if we have accomplished so much more. Just by our very nature of us being here and wanting to help them, they are so thankful.
It will be hard for us to leave this country and all the people that have stolen hearts.
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