6/10

Natalie is now with us and is doing great :) I love her boldness in trying to reach out to the people here.  She has only been studying Spanish for a month or so I believe, but that hasn't slowed her down one bit!  If you've read anything from the first time I came to Costa, I got discouraged as I couldn't understand the kids or I would make a mistake etc.

But this is Natalie we're talking about. This girl does not slow down!

We were sitting in the church with the kids before eating.  Don Victor asked the kids something and one of the boys across from Natalie said, "yo yo yo yo!" meaning "I".  Natalie looks over at him and says all cool like, "Yo!" as in "what's up."  I haven't laughed so hard in a long time! She is so sweet! When I explained that was not what Julian was saying she just laughed and kept trying to talk to the kids. I'm pretty sure she went up to each kid and asked them what their name was and introduced herself. Soemtimes she got a little mixed up and kept saying to the kids, "Mi nombre es" instead of "Como se llama?" and they would look at me confused.  Now, I'm not making fun of  Natalie in ANY way! I love her heart and her boldness! Plus, I called Don Juan cute when I meant to tell him he was kind, and have mixed up sooo many words!

Justine has been doing really great as well.  She has a way of connecting with the kids without speaking in Spanish.  Plus, she's killed more cockroaches in 3 weeks then I have in all my time put together!

Lastly, I just wanted to ask for prayer.  I've been sick the past few days and I am soooo ready for it to be over! It's so frustrating missing time with the kids when there's only a few weeks left!!  The other night I had to leave and started walking home and a few of the kids called out my name. I almost started crying!  I ended up going back because I really wanted to be with the kids. I snuck in and the kids had split into groups. I usually go with Matt and the older kids so I grabbed a chair and joined them. Yoel, who is a boy I've been praying for and acts up a lot (like he's trying to be older then he is), grabbed his chair and scooted next to me and said said "Meekala!" and gave me a big smile :)

I think being sick all the time has been from the enemy. It's so ridiculous!  Tuesday, Matt split up the kids for English class and took half and I was with the other half while Justine and Natalie were in the kitchen.  I've never worked with the kids by myself, but it was a lot of fun and I think it went really well. Sofia told me that my Spanish is getting really good ha ha.  Neysi, who is Gabriella's little sister and is like her in her quietness and unwillingness to participate, surprised me.  When Matt rejoineed the two groups together to sing a song, the majority sat down and didn't want to do it.  I looked over and Neysi and lightly with a smile and almost jokingly told her to come stand next to me.  And, without protest, she got up and stood next to me and did the song!  I was so shocked! God is doing some awesome things!