Another Home Run For Team California

A small group of eight people arrived from California on Saturday morning  After getting through customs and all the stuff that has to be done, they went to the market and bought fruits and vegetables.  They then bagged them and distributed them in Buen Samaritano, a poor community near the dump.

Sunday was pizza with the Casa kids (see previous blog).

Monday construction began.  Team California built a house for a lady named Paola.  She has two kids and used to live in the dump.  She is trying to get away from the dump.

Today, the group started at the feeding center at Nueva Oriental.  Everyone got to help cook and serve 225 kids.  Kids that probably would not have eaten today if it had not been for the feeding center.

After all children were fed and dishes were done, the group divided into two small groups.  One group went to buy food for Paola.  After the house was finished, it was discovered she had no food.  They bought food and took it back to her house.

The other group hit the mall.  We are helping two young ladies.  They are sisters.  One is single.  The other has 3 small boys, ages 5,3, and 1.  Her husband was beating her and abusing her.  She and the children recently left that horrible situation.  They have no family.  Only each other.  They are both looking for jobs and one of the girls will start a new job at Dunkin Donuts on Monday.  They have nothing.  Nothing.  The girls had one jacket.  Not one jacket a piece.  One jacket.  In this cold rainy weather, they were sharing one jacket.  The kids had holes in the shoes.  These young ladies and the boys are staying the same place the group is.  The group has fallen in love with this little family.

The group that went shopping at the mall were not shopping for themselves, but for Melissa and Lisette and the boys.  All five of them got new shoes and new clothes.  The boys got trucks and blocks and, of course, a soccer ball.  Then there was also groceries and personal items.


Tonight after supper, the clothes and toys were given to this family. 

Marla watched the presents come out of the bags and she said,"I can't stand it any longer.  These trucks have got to be opened and these kids start playing with them."  She opened each one and gave to one of the boys.

There were many tears tonight, by both the recipients and the givers.

We sang songs of praise and worship as three little boys played with brand new trucks.  They have never had a truck or toy of any kind.  That was sweet music to our ears.

It is only the bottom of the fourth and Team California has hit at least one homerun a day and are currently batting 1000.

Terri