Kids
We had prepared for close to 300 kids for that particular week of camp. Due to some of the kids having to take summer classes because their grades were not where they needed to be, our numbers were really low. About 130 kids were able to make camp that week. Between the churches who made the trip and the interns we had close to 45 of us. One of the missionaries challenged us, with the numbers being what they were, to get to know three to four kids. While we had been praying for more kids to come so they could take part in the camp and learn about Jesus, having fewer kids was a blessing in disguise. We were able to do exactly what the missionary had challenged us with, and get to know three to four of the kids better than what we would have been able to if the circumstances had been different.
This is Amy. Amy is a very loving, and outgoing kid. She loved to play the games that we had, lead the cheer for our yellow team, was a team player, and had a continual light about her. One night after dinner some of the kids were playing freeze tag before worship, and she wanted me to play. As she started explaining the rules we both realized just how little Spanish I really knew. Instantly she grabbed my hand and pulled me over the the nearest missionary kid who could speak both English and Spanish so she could translate the rules for me. Her heart that night showed me just how much I give up and don't persevere when things get a little tough. We were both upset when it came time for them to load up, and I held myself together relatively well as the kids loaded up onto the bus. When Amy came up to hug me, already bawling, I broke down right then and there. After we hugged and cried I gave her the Spanish Bible that I had brought with me so she can read and learn what God's word has to say. Her face was priceless after I had one of the missionaries translate to her that the Bible was a gift and that it belonged to her.
This is Julio. Julio was the joker of my group. He loved to go around to everyone and poke us in the ribs, or tap us on one shoulder and walk away quickly so we would turn the other way. Julio was also a respectful kid and a leader in my group. The language barrier was difficult so he would help to get the kids to sit or pay attention when he would see us struggling to get them to understand us. You would never see Julio without a smile on his face. I also had the opportunity to give him one of the Spanish Bibles that we had brought. I will never forget how his face lit up when he saw what it was and that it was his.
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Last, we have Artor. Artor normally did not leave my side, he was my right hand man in Ecuador. What was different about him was his willingness to serve everyone. He was the first one to want to help pass pencils and paper out, get everyone where they needed to be at the right time, and volunteer when help was needed. He, unlike many of the kids, was one of the few Ecuadorian kids at the camp who knew some English. I had more conversations with him because of his knowledge of English. With his broken English, and my broken Spanish we were able to talk more than I could with the rest of the kids. One of my favorite memories of Artor was the night we had the campfire. The missionaries brought out the treat of the night, marshmallows. The kids were so excited to roast the marshmallows and eat them. Artor noticed that I had not went to the fire to roast mine yet because I was letting the kids roast theirs first. He grabbed my marshmallows before I had noticed, ran to the fire, roasted them, and brought them back to me so I could eat mine while they ate theirs. It was so sweet!
Slideshow: The Kiddos
These kids had a huge impact on my life. I miss them so much, and I pray that if I do not get to see them again this side of Heaven, then one day we can praise God together for all of eternity.