Happy 4th of July!!  We are missing all of you back at home, especially tonight.  Although we were not able to celebrate the 4th like us Americans usually do, tonight we did do something to make up for it.

After everyone was back from either construction or VBS, everyone changed into their swimsuits and waited for a surprise.  Last night David Henry told us that we would be doing something for this special day but no one was sure just exactly what it was.  I thought that it was going to be something like a water balloon fight and some others thought that we were going to the river.  But when the day arrived a few people knew exactly what was planned.  Soon we were told that whoever wanted to would have the opportunity to go to a waterfall!  Of course many of us were excited for this but as we started driving the weather started to look a little cloudy.  The walk to the waterfall was fairly short along with many steps and just as we reached the bottom it started to rain along with the mist from the waterfall.  The waterfall was amazing!  Right away many of us walked in and had a fun time in the cold water.  As we stood there shaking many pictures were being taken.  Although it was raining, we all had a fun time.  It sort of made up for missing the fireworks.  As soon as we returned we quickly changed and had supper!  Supper has been the same every night but it is very good.  There is usually rice, salad, and some type of meat.  I keep telling everyone that as soon as I get home, my mom is going to make me a nice home cooked meal! 

            Last week I was in construction which was an awesome experience and this week I’m involved with VBS.  The kids are so cute and many of them open up to whoever opens to them.  Just on Monday I was able to make some little friends who I look forward to seeing every day.  In the morning VBS is in the mountains which are so pretty!  The scenery here is marvelous! On every walk to the VBS site I am always reminded of God and his creative mind.  God is such an artist and after being here, my eyes have been opened up to that even more.  God has been teaching me and many other people about his awesome love and how much he actually cares for us.  He has kept us healthy, safe and strong throughout these two weeks. 

            The interesting thing about VBS is the people who will crowd around the church but seem to be too afraid or embarrassed to actually walk in.  In the morning I always notice about 5 or 6 boys who were probably are around the age of 16 who would always sit outside of the church but never come in.  When games would be going on, they would follow everyone over there and watch the little kids play the games.  You could easily tell that they were interested at what was going on.  Then today they were not sitting outside of the church and I wondered where they were.  At the end of the day I saw a few of the boys in the back of the church.  I even caught them singing and saying the verse that the children are memorizing.  I really thought that this was amazing!  Not only are we teaching little kids of God’s love but we are teaching people closer to my age as well.  This has been a challenging and breathtaking experience.  I am so glad that God gave me this chance to be involved in His tremendous plan!

            See all of you in just a few days!  Thank you for all your prayers! Keep on praying! Missing you all and see most of you Sunday morning! God Bless!

~Brooke Vatthauer~