Rain forest Survivor

Our group spent the day today in Coronado-home to Excelencia Familar-the orphanage Community of Faith started and supports. It is home to 20 children - 10 boys and 10 girls - in 2 houses. We worked painting the inside of the houses today. I worked in the boys' house and soaked in laughing and talking with the boys. What I found crazy was that it was just like being at home. Kids are kids no matter the country. The oldest of the boys made himself scarce to avoid being pulled in to work. The preteen boys were eager to help paint and be a part of everything.  The youngest boys entertained themselves playing video games and making "chocolate milk" in a bucket outside filled with used paintbrushes.  We took a muddy and slippery hike/slide into the rainforest down to a creek. The boys led the way and had lots of fun taking us down what I'm sure was the most treacherous and difficult path. They laughed as we got muddy or ended up in the water. They held out hands and helped as we jumped over ravines. They bounced from rock to rock while we struggled with each step. It was such a fun experience and unbelievably beautiful. We ended the day with a soccer game  with them- and they even let Micah score a goal. It didn't matter that we didn't understand all of each others words. It didn't matter that these kids have terrible backgrounds and have had harder lives than we could ever imagine. It didn't matter that they live with 19 "siblings" and just met us today. We had fun together. We worked together. We played together. They are good people with big hearts and so much potential.  In the past I've heard the sad news stories, read the poverty statistics, seen the infomercials with the kids with the big sad eyes-but while devastating it seems so far removed. That happens somewhere else, to other people. But now I've had the opportunity to know these boys- to see they are just like my boys at home and they deserve the same dreams and prayers.  Today I depended on an 11 year old to keep me safe in the rain forest. Now I want to make sure he and all the Coronado boys can depend on me.  Oscar, Anthony, Jose, Juan Carlos, and Brian found a place in my heart today.