This week has been so many things for us. Having been here to Lantern Hill before we thought we knew what to expect from the week ahead of us, but you can never be sure what Mexico has in store for you. In the three years since our last visit Aqua Viva has changed dramatically. The building we previously helped to dry wall is now fully completed and fully functional. There is also a full kitchen and housing for children with disabilities who stay there. The daycare that we served in is now a school for children who cannot go to public or private schools of Mexico because they do not have a birth certificate which is needed to attend school in Mexico. The kids are still friendly, energetic, and ready to play which we found out as soon as we arrived. We also had the opportunity to go to Casa Esperanza which neither of us (Sarah & Brandon) went to during our last visit. While dumping a load of brush in the brush pile we heard a scratching noise from the trash cans nearby. After cautiously investigating the source of the noise we discovered something furry buried underneath a pile of trash. Slowly removing the trash piece by piece, we saw a large squirrel peeking its head out from the bottom of the barrel. We helped the squirrel out and watched it scurry away, feeling satisfied both with helping the squirrel escape and also with the fact that neither of us were bitten. This whole week has been a whirlwind of emotions and experiences, the majority of which were joyful and full of hope. Throughout the week we toured different communities and saw the need and poverty the children and families are dealing with everyday. To us these sights are slightly disheartening, however listening to Abby and Javier talk about their hopes and dreams for the future of these communities gives every experience a reviving sense of hope that inspires us to move forward and bring these experiences back with us. Tomorrow is Sunday and we will be visiting the church in the local community for worship and we are excited to experience the faith of the people in the communities we have been serving. The hospitality and openness of the people in Ensenada has been a blessing and for that we are very grateful, and we look forward to the days we still have to come.
-Sarah Arnold & Brandon Gotwalt
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