Dry Potato

As many mornings at ATEK begin, ours commenced with a tired attempt to assemble at 6:50 in the team room. We began our day with our best breakfast yet- fresh, warm buns, topped with butter or jam, hard-boiled eggs and a mix of fresh fruit including bananas, papaya and cantaloupe. Immediately following the meal, I shared my testimony with the group and then we prayed together. As three volunteers from group two went to wash the dishes in the kitchen, group one rushed about, gathering last minute items in preparation for their imminent expedition to the village. As a part of this, Seth and I went across the street to the small store that supplies the whole team with snacks and water to bring back dous grande aguas (two large waters). As we entered the small shop, the kindly elder woman who ran the shop greeted us with a warm buenos dias (good morning)! After we collected our goods and waved farewell to the departing village team, we joined the daily devotion time with the Quechan women, where Pastor Bill was sharing about making disciples. After the message, Pastor Bill hosted a question and answer session during which, the women began to open up and confront some of the more difficult questions that the people commonly face. It was impactful for the women and good discussions were held via two translators (one from English to Spanish, one from Spanish to Quechan). During the devotion time, we learned (much to our humor) that a certain team member’s name means ‘dry potato’ in Quechan. Any guesses who that is? The name has stuck amongst the team; we’re considering changing their passport! :)  After the group diverged, several members of group two spent a good deal in the team room drawing simple pictures in sharpie for the kids to colour. One of their favorite things to color is sea creatures so we pumped out a good deal of crude octopi, fish in various shapes and sizes and whales. One of the things Heidi pointed out was that no matter how much they liked the picture they coloured, they would always give it to us. As we tried to keep up with their lightning-quick colouring, Jennifer prepared the ‘Seven Days of Creation Craft’. This craft kept them occupied as lunch was being prepared by the amazing staff here at ATEK. After a later lunch and a short recuperation period, Kaitlyn, Heidi, Seth, Jennifer, Yiannis (a staff member at ATEK) and I walked twelve of the kids to a park that is a few blocks away. There, we spent our time pushing kids on the swings as they shouted mas alto (higher), catching them at the end of the slide and playing with them on the teeter-totter. We headed back to ATEK, all feeling a little tired, but upon arrival, some of the older boys (ages seven to nine) wanted to play football, a very regular activity. This time, we went out to the street in front of the compound, where there was more space. Although I am getting better at dribbling the ball, and Seth is a master at juggling, dodging and deking everyone out, our Canadian lungs could not keep up and we were often left panting and wheezing in their wake. Not to say they lacked skill, because they are very good with their feet! As the sun sank low in the sky and the shadows grew long, Seth, Jennifer and I climbed to the roof of ATEK where our laundry hung drying and to our dismay, we found that it had fallen off the wires we hung it on and it sat in the dust, as dirty as before we washed it! Next time, we are remembering clothes pins.  As the day came to a close, and after we had supper and spent some time praying, we were invited back up to the devotion room where the Quechan women were gathered for the final time that day, and we all sang a Spanish-English Happy Birthday to a staff member here at ATEK. After that, the women requested we sing a few more songs, so we taught them the actions and meaning to ‘Our God is an Awesome God’, and sang ‘Amazing Grace’ as best as we could. As we headed to our rooms, the children caught us for a few final rounds of’ London Bridge is Falling Down’ and ‘Duck Duck Goose’ (pato pato ganso). Once the children left, the team ended the day with a few giddy rounds of cheat and President! Hope everyone back home is well, if you could keep our team in your prayers, as well the village group one and Pastor Bill (that his voice stays strong teaching day after day) in your prayers, we would be very thankful! Cheers Lucas Dunbar P.S. The answer to yesterday's guess who (the person who took so many showers leaving us without hot water) is... Heidi! The answer for today's guess who will appear tomorrow!