The children rouse out of their slumber around 7:00, ready to face a new day. Breakfast is served at 7:45, with cereal and milk on the menu. After breakfast, the children disperse to do their morning duties, which include washing and drying dishes and sweeping the porch and patio. When finished, the boys head up to the dorm room where a large bag of unshelled peanuts and an empty bowl for each child await them. Most of them are expected to fill a bowl up to the top with shelled peanuts. Laughter and chatter flow freely as they race to see who will be the first to finish. Each are rewarded with a small amount of money for their effort. The peanuts are then made into delicious homemade peanut butter which we all greatly enjoy. It is then time for a break and the children happily run off to spend some time playing. At times they chop down thorn bushes where they are planning to plant a crop, or walk around the newly constructed dorm room picking up trash. Meanwhile, down at the kitchen, the ladies are busily preparing a fine lunch for all to enjoy, after which come more dishes to wash and dry and floors to sweep and mop. Many hands make light work and soon the busy kitchen is once again in order. One of the VS workers then walks with the children to the nearby village of Mochiqui where they attend school from 1:30 - 5:00 each day. After they arrive home the children enjoy some free time, with the exception of Monday and Friday where they enjoy hosting a soccer game with Rods, Lorens, and the neighborhood children joining in. The teams are boys against girls(with the help of the men). These events are highlights for everyone. During this time Debbie prepares the evening meal and when it is ready Lenn rings the dinner bell and the children all rush in to find their places at the table. Lenn leads them in a song of thanks to God for the food and the children take turns leading in prayer. After the meal, it’s back to work cleaning up. They work together in cheerful companionship (sometimes) to put everything back into its place. In the evening everyone enjoys games and laughter with bedtime preparation beginning at 8:15. The boys go up to their dorm room where they brush their teeth and use the bathroom before having a story read to them. After story, the boys have a group prayer before the lights are switched off. And the next day........ it all begins again!
(This article was used in the Winter 2008 Destinations Intercessor Bulettin before being revised)
