La Posada

La Posada was pretty great. It was awesome being able to give all the kids gifts, and play with them. It was a blessing watching them smile, and laugh as we played with them, and gave them gifts that they were so thankful for. I went to La Posada not knowing what to expect. I heard one of the leaders say, "missions trips are often not for the people, but for you." He meant it as, you get something out of it, and I totally did. Everyone said this, but I realize how much I take my home for granted, how much I take having great friends for granted, how much I take having parents who tell me no for granted, just having parents.

I saw how much I truly had. Simple things, like a room for myself, a house, more than just a pair of shoes. As I sat on the bus behind Jazmin and Mariah I was looking out the window, I saw many houses, and many people, thats when it hit me. It was weird because it was literally from one second to the next. I just stared out the window until we got to the orphanage. When we got there we were greeted by two children who were pretty happy to see us. That was pretty cool because despite the fact that we were the fourth group that day, they all still played with us and had fun.

I made a new friend this weekend. I had seen her around church a few times, but had never spoken to her. She was there Friday night with Jazmin, and I introduced myself. I came to find out, she's pretty awesome! The three of us, along with Chris rode with Roy. We talked and laughed until about an hour into the ride when they fell asleep. Once the two of them woke up, we started again. I thought it was going to be weird since I was the only one in the truck who didn't know Mariah, but it wasn't. Before we even left, I felt as if I had known her for as long as I had known Jazmin and Chris. The three of us were pretty much always together. We stayed up almost all night Saturday talking about everything. it was totally worth being uncoordinated the next day.

I won't forget my first trip, there are way too many things to forget. The kids faces as they beat up Chris, drew on his face with Deco markers, played ball, got pulled/pushed in a toy car, and had fun with us. I won't forget the times with my friends either. Watching Chris swallow a whole jalapeno, yes, whole. Laughing with all the girls in our room, the talks I had with Mariah and Jazmin on the bus, and the all nighter Jazmin and I pulled.