Changes

A few weeks ago the Rowley's, after 4 years of service here in Constanza, decided they will be heading back to the US in December. At first this news was pretty overwhelming for me, not only am I losing my closest friends and pretty much my family here in Constanza, but also losing the people who do the vast majority of the work with teams here!

The last few teams, Craig has really taken me under his wing and taught me so much about making things run smoothly with teams. He has shown me what works and what doesn't, as well as introduced me to the people that I really need to know around town. Through this process he has also really made it clear that these are the things that have worked for the Rowley's, and they may not work for me or I may have to change some things. I have been blessed to have this transition/training time over the past month.

I have really grown close with the Rowley's over my 11 months here, and they have really been an incredible influence on my time here. I will miss them greatly next year, but it is cool to remember that I have the next couple months to enjoy with them here!

With the departure of the Rowley's, my role here will also be changing. During 2011 we are hoping to host roughly 12-13 teams in Constanza and a majority of that responsibility will fall to me. That will include all the transportation, planning, preparation, and hosting of the teams. Craig has also been helping me to understand what needs to be done from the field in order to make the business/accounting side of teams worth smoothly as well (hopefully my business/economics degree will come in handy here!). I will also be running the sponsorship in the Care Center as well as my responsibilities in the Ark with sponsorship.

It is a lot of work, and although I'll be the only Kids Alive missionary in Constanza, I know that I will have plenty of support and help from the other missionaries on the island as well! Please keep me and Kids Alive in your prayers over the next few months of transition over the island as every site has impactful people leaving and will be undergoing transitions.

Over the past month, my feelings have gone from overwhelmed and incapable to confident and prepared. I know that this is strictly a gift from God and that He won't give me anything that I can't handle.

Me and the Rowley's out to eat in Constanza

The legendary soda taste test adventure!

Playground Team

This slide was by far the most popular attraction

Last we week we had the opportunity to have a fantastic team, made up from 4 churches in Western Michigan, here in Constanza. Kids Alive has been taking old, donated playgrounds from the States and shipping them around the world completely renewed and refurbished in order for the kids to enjoy.

A wide view of the kids playing on the playground

On top of all of their work on the playground, the group took a few hours out of their last 2 days to put on big "carnival" days for the kids. They had one for the kids at the Ark and one for the kids at the Care Center. They were a huge hit! The kids were able to play on the new playground, throw water balloons, tug of war, paint nails/tattoos, dizzy bat races and enjoy an awesome skit and puppet show. This was definitely a highlight for all the kids involved, and a fun start to the school year for the Care Center kids.

Kids very into the puppet show!