Update

Melissa and i just got back from Casa Hogar Orphanage. We played a game with the girls that they called "soccer" but it was some kind of kickball game. All the girls are very sweet! they know less english than we know spanish, but some of the older girls can communicate with us pretty well. The little girls are ADORABLE and most of them love the individual attention that we can give them. We are planning on going to the orphanage almost every day from 4-6 pm. The Madres told us that this would be the best time for them. We have not met all of the girls yet because some of them are going to camp this week. We heard that all of the girls will be gone next week, but we are not sure that this is true. School is going pretty well.....We had to begin at a slower pace but are starting to understand it better and will be moving faster through each class. Hopefully we will be able to speak alot of the language by the end of the month. Señora Josefina has asked us to help with the younger children's spanish/english classes after our classes in the morning. This way we can help and learn at the same time. We are all doing well. Melissa and I miss home, but we will be ok. Thank you for all your prayers!

Leyna & Melissa

Finally, a note from the girls....

Senora Josefina (the owner of the school) is letting us use the computer (and phone to receive calls) whenever we need to, so that is very good. Today our spanish classes were very fun. Our first teacher taught us a lot of Spanish, and our second teacher took us out on a walk. First we went to one of the other teacher's house and made our own tortillas and quesadillas. Then we went for a walk with two other girls who spoke english and their teacher. Our teachers took us to the ice cream parlor up the street and bought us some ice cream. Then we came back and decided to help with one of the little kid's classes. They were making flowers out of paper. "Mi gusto helado"- I like ice cream! We will try to send pictures soon...we are heading back to the apartment now. Yesterday (Monday) we went to the orphanage for the first time. It was so sweet when we got there because the little girls were waiting for us. They asked us to get down to their level and they all kissed us on both cheeks and hugged us. Then they took our hands and we played and played with them. They wanted us to pick them up and twirl them around. They are all so sweet! We go back today at 4pm. Can't wait! Love, Melissa and Leyna!

Prayer needed!

Hey all. Sarah, Melissa's mom, talked to Melissa this afternoon, and we have a prayer request. Melissa was sick to her stomach after having breakfast this morning. She ate croissants and drank apple juice. Please pray that the problem is over, and that this is not the beginning of any sickness. Pray that everyone will get the rest and nutrition that they need to stay healthy for the next month. Thanks so much! Pam (Leyna's mom)

Adios DFW!

Well, the 3 amigas landed in San Miguel at 12:07pm this afternoon, but we have not heard from them. We didn't necessarily expect to, but do hope to hear via email or by phone that they are settling in. They start school on Monday, and should have access to the internet then, so we hope that they will update us all on their adventures! Thank you all for your prayers and words of encouragement...start posting as they will be looking at their blog daily!

Kathleen here...

The countdown continues.........as our household completes the last-minute tasks: taking the pets to the vet, getting their licenses, copying vital documents, packing, organizing and praying over family and friends staying here. And - Oh yes - I had my car in the shop the last two days.Yes, Leyna, this will be the experience of a lifetime, to be sure. I'm excited about the work we'll be doing and the new lifetime friendships we'll be forging. I'm also envisioning future visits to San Miguel de Allende when we can accompany other mission teams, and see the orphanage prosper. One of the best things about being able to communicate this way is that we'll be staying in touch with friends and family back home, and they'll have an opportunity to 'share' our experience almost as quickly as we experience it.

From Leyna:

Only Nine More Days Until We Leave. It's all Pretty Exciting....Pretty Nerve-Wracking. But, I Am Ready. How about you? Miss Kathleen, Melissa...are you ready? This will be the experience of a lifetime...