The Colonial
Today was the first day that Grandma Kay was able to join us out in the field. We had been told earlier in the day that Estero, The Colonial, would have more rough kids. All of us were more concerned with clowns. The last couple clown events Grandma has participated in were "Hope Fests" and she usually participated for about 90 minutes. So, Uncle Andy and I told the team that she needed a "body guard" or someone to be with her. Help her get out before she became tired and to help protect her from any rambunctious kids. However, once we started, Lolli kicked in & Grandma was a bundle of energy. At one point, her body guard (Lou) stated that he couldn't keep up with her. In fact, she didn't really need someone with her because she seemed fully able to take care of herself.
Again, I went with a team to help announce the free medical clinic would be starting shortly. Daniel, our new clown team member, seemed to have a lot of energy and he had clowned previously (not with us but in years past). So, he went with one team and I went with another. Most of my neighborhood was construction shops so very few kids. However, it was amusing to see the men in their machine shops walk out scowling and smile upon seeing a clown or receiving a smiley face sticker. On our way back, a white truck stopped to see the clown. I gave each passenger, an older couple, a couple stickers each. The driver had me watch as he placed his stickers carefully on his car and then he walked with us back to the Colonial.
Photo Notes: Jorge (on the left in the above photo) was inspired by "Pop" to become a clown years ago and is an active part of the clown ministry here (his team has grown to 6 or 7 clowns). Daniel (on the right) was a clown years ago, (I think he said about 15 years ago), but he was humble & impressed Grandma w/ his kindness. He is the pastor of Renato Vega.
Upon returning, Daniel worked with Grandma to learn balloon animals and I painted faces.
Grandma had the opportunity to brighten so many people's faces. It was precious and wonderful to be united with my teacher. At one point there was a little old lady who walked in and as soon as she saw Grandma, immediately hugged Grandma tightly. Saying over and over in Spanish how precious Grandma was to her.
Photo Notes: This sweet woman saw "Lolli" and immediately hugged her; blessing Lolli and calling her precious.
One of today's precious moments for me was a little boy who refused to smile. Absolutely and completely. He was brought in by an older sibling and I don't think anyone was able to give us a clear name and we don't know where his parents were. Originally he only wanted to look apathetically (almost angrily) at everyone. However, as the day progressed, I noticed he was extremely entranced with the clowns...as long as he thought no one was looking for him. So, my goal became to get him to smile. At one point, I looked over and he was turned away from me but his baby cheeks were big like he was grinning from ear to ear. I called out to a team member and asked them if he was smiling and they exclaimed that he was. So, I immediately gave them my camera to get a quick shot. (I don't think we ever found out his name or where his parents were...)
Another precious moment for me was a little boy whom I had just finished painting started talking to me and pointing to his arm. I had been telling kids for the past ten minutes that two was the maximum for face painting. So, I kept saying he could only have 2 as a response not understanding him. Finally, I got a translator and it turns out what he had been trying to say was not that he wanted another one but that he loved the lizard that I painted. That he thought it was absolutely beautiful and he wanted to make sure that I knew that. His picture is below:
Ulises, the newer clown from the day before, called everyone he knew as soon as his school was over, excitedly trying to clown for the afternoon. He was able to find a ride out to the colonial and apparently when he arrived his face paint wasn't done yet. However, he refused to leave the car because his face paint wasn't done. Apparently, something Grandma had said during Monday training about not going into public until your face being done, stuck out to him. So, he was terrified of breaking the rule, I guess Grandma had really put the fear of God into him (LOL). So, his driver (Pastor Dave) told him to hide behind a truck to finish the face painting. As soon as it was complete, he walked up.
About that time we had just started the show and just finished the "Chicken Dance." I saw him standing in the back and immediately had him begin the first "silly skit." In total, we had 5 performers today and each were amazing. I had recruited "Troy" an American from another team, Ulises (who had several parts throughout the show after watching everything once - yesterday), Daniel (who learned everything, essentially on the fly and with broken English and explanations from translators who had not seen the show), Jorge (the clown I mentioned earlier and I had trained the show on Monday), and myself. It was a fun show.
The feedback that we got from the free haircuts stated that the kids couldn't sit still. They all wanted to watch the show, so at one point they gave up and told the kids to watch the show and come back. The medical team stated that it was perfectly timed because we started the show right as a huge flood of people arrived wanting to check in and get in line for the clinic. I loved it, because aside from explaining the different parts, I wasn't needed. It was all of the reasons we came - to tell kids they are special, to entertain while they wait to be served through haircuts and free medical check-ups, and to train clowns to continue on without me.
Today had the outlook of being a rough day - while it was not an easy day...it was an amazing day.