Did you feel the mountains tremble?

No- we didn't. There was an earthquake in El Salvador a few days ago and around 12:30 that night tremors could be felt in Antigua and here in San Juan. I guess we were so tired and sound asleep we didn't wake up for it. That was Wednesday night, I believe and so much has happened since then! Our team was so amazing! So many projects and jobs around the center were accomplished! KellyAnn stuck with little Sergio ( our sick Pato) and made sure he felt loved. The puppet and rec teams did a phenomenal job playing with the kiddos and making them laugh. I stuck around the boys a lot this week and just loved to hear them sing the songs they learned earlier that day. It made hectic times like bath rooming and changing at bedtime less stressful and more fun. The kitchen is now a bright cheery yellow thanks to our maintenance team and others who helped them, all the grass was mowed around the playground equipment, and all our kids we're loved on. An update on Sergio, our sick little duck. Yesterday he ate a bowl of fruit for dinner- he had previously not been able to keep food down so this is great news! He doesn't have a fever and can be around the other children now. Yay! A brother and sister who recently came to the center (like the same day we did) are experiencing a little homesickness. :( Their names are Albino and Myra. Please pray for them to get healthy, make friends, and to feel more at ease here. On Thursday our team left the center for Antigua. I am so thankful they came to the center to be used by God. He put the right people together I just the right places. What a great way to begin our stay here. That evening Lucky (the lady in charge here at the center), our interpreter Vanessa, and the day shift ladies all went to the fair in San Juan. What an experience! We rode there on tuk-tuks- a motorcycle/taxi with seats In the back. They are pretty fun to ride, but have trouble going up steep hills. Yes, we did have to exit the vehicle and climb the large incline in town. The fair had lots of games and some familiar rides. There were three ferris wheels, a zipper, bumper cars, and those dragon swing rides. Lucky put us on the dragon ride- which lasted approximately 14 minutes! We played football- there were so many tables! Marianna and I dominated. Then we hit up the trampoline, and played loteria. Next up was a shooting game- basically you use a 22 to hit a target to win a prize. We are pretty good shots (at five feet away). For dinner we ate churros with chocolate, then rode the bumper cars. It was a great time of fellowship with the ladies we work with each day. We had a blast talking and laughing with them in a completely different environment. Friday, the next morning Vanessa left to go home. She was amazing and we will miss her dearly! It was a visiting day- parents can come on Fridays and Sunday's to visit their children. Many were excited to see their parents for a little while. We hung around in the Comedor with the children whose parents couldn't make it. So, we didn't get to interact With them but we did get to wave and smile to them as they released their children back to the routine of the center. One grandmother grabbed my arm to hand off her granddaughter who had started to cry. It seems a little easier on the younger ones, but for the older ones who want to go home it is hard to see their family for a brief time and be left here. I took her hand, rubbed her back and led her into the Comedor for dinner. I can't imagine what the older children must feel. On a happier note- one of our Patos (Ducks) went home on Friday! Miguel- who we will remember for teaching him "stinky, stinky, stinky!" was able to leave with his family. Can I just say my heart melted when the other children ran up to give him hugs and waved goodbye to him! Adorable! They are a family here- even if not by blood they love one another. After that it was back to dinner and time for Ropa de noche. We continue to get to know the night staff here by playing bingo with them. It's a blast. Our time here is so special and we are enjoying every second of it! Pray for safe travels for our next team as they are flying in to Guatemala today. Also, a new baby has arrived in the canaries room. The interns are reading Not a Fan- its really good so far. A challenge to ask yourself if you are a true follower of Jesus, or just a fan. Keep praying for us! Muchas gracias!