Day Two: Rayitos de Luz

After breakfast and devotions we were ready to head out to our first children's home of the week - Rayitos de Luz (little rays of light). We were told that we were going to attempt to be there early to just play and hang out with the kids, and then after they left for school we would begin our work projects. Wellll, flexico Mexico - because of leaving a little late and because of traffic, we ended up getting to the children's home just in time for us to basically watch the kids eat. It was mass chaos, half naked children everywhere putting on their uniforms, food being made and served, and kids banging on bathrooms doors demanding their turns. It was beautiful though, because just as the chaos began, it was subdued by the simple lunch blessing. All the kids bowed their heads and closed their eyes and began to pray together, led by one of the children. They prayed for each other, for their schools, and they even prayed for us. Simply beautiful.

While watching the kids eat, I was able to hold one of the happiest babies I have ever met. He was precious - 8 month old Imanuel. His sister America who is 8 was found taking care of him and his 5 year old brother. Their mother was a drug addict and was unable to take care of them and their father was out of the picture. You find this situation a lot in Mexico, and it breaks my heart. America just wanted to be an 8 year old girl, but was strong enough to be a mother when she had to be. AMAZING... that is love.

They ate and were soon on their way... 25 kids in a 15 passenger van, the Mexico way. We then began our work projects. I volunteered to put up barbed wire. Did I have experience with that?? No, but it sounded cool. The other projects were sealing concrete to prevent leaking, painting a mural type wall, and putting up barbed wire. Eventually, we were going to move on to cutting down branches and putting up a fence, but that wouldn't come until later in the day or maybe even tomorrow. So we threw on some gloves, goggles and grabbed a pair of pliers and were on our way. We pretty much had to cut a lot of barbed wire and tie it around metals poles to prevent people from climbing the walls and stealing things (frightening, i know).

It was blazing hot and I had sprained my good ankle yesterday, so it was a little tricky, as well as challenging, but God willing we made it through. Some of the boys had found out that they didn't have school that day and came sprinting back 12 blocks to help us with our work. It was ridiculously humbling to work beside 9 year old boys that were enjoying work that made me want to quit. They were inspiring. They definitely made everything look easy, jumping around to every project and having a great time. One boy even joined me and Antonio (the project leader) on a roof to hack up a mango tree. Long story short, the boy almost went down with the branches of the mango tree, but he had no worries and was completely willing.

We were able to play a little with the children once we finished our work, so that was rewarding. I got to play doctor with Fani, a little girl who was too young to go to school. We then proceeded to play a game where I blew bubbles and she would try to pop them. So minuscule, and yet so meaningful. No American child would be satisfied with just that... but she was.

After a long hard day of work, we headed back to the property a little later than expected and had an amazing dinner and debriefing. After debriefing, I had the idea of recording a few songs for Caroline on her laptop, which eventually turned into - Kristen Rupert - Live in Mexico!! We began recording my CD on Caroline's computer, a project that would last allll week. The start of my music career, lol.

.kristen.