It's not everyday that you get to run through a terrential downpour just to use the restroom in a small, wooden lean-to with a tarp door and a wooden seat and hole in the ground. For some strange reason, though, I was filled with joy as I ran through the rainstorm. Just seeing the smiles on the childrens faces and a small little smile crack from children who were too shy to look up at you was enough to make the hardest of hearts melt. As an entire team, equipo as it is in Spanish, we really got to the heart and true meaning of service today. It was cold and rainy, but you wouldn't know that if you looked at the teenagers playing with children, playing ball, blowing bubbles, and trying to get a child to smile. While on the bus just sitting, we saw some boys who were waving and just looking at us. Some of us decided to get off the bus and play soccer with the boys. I'll never forget the sound of nine and ten year old boys throwing their arms in the air screaming "goalo!" as they scored a soccer goal between a rock and the curb on a cobble stone street that was flooding. Several of the boys ran around barefoot, and many of the team members were really filled with compassion for these boys asking the Nationals if we were allowed to take off our shoes to give to them. We were able to give a pair of shoes to a boy whose had broken. We also had enough extra socks to give them each a pair. Many of us had fasted lunch to pray for a team member who's sick, so we were filled with joy to be able to give the extra sandwiches to the boys. At the end of the day, I went home lacking a lot of the things I had started the day with but filled with so much joy and fulfillment in knowing that someone's life could be better because of our sacrifices. Now I'm dry and I have clean clothes and a stomach full of food, but I'm happy only because a dozen boys can go to bed a little less hungry and a little warmer tonight. I'm so proud of our team. I feel like today we got to experience giving food to the hungry, giving clothes to the naked, and being the hands and feet of Jesus. The trip is very different from what a lot of us were expecting. From the stories the other teams had shared with us, we were expecting something entirely different from what has happened. Even though it's different, though, I know God has a plan and a purpose for bringing all of us here at this time and place. One of my favorite phrases from the Bible is "for such a time as this." God has this exact team at this exact time at this exact place for a very specific reason. Our trip is still valuable and moving in it's own unique way, and I can't wait to see what God's going to do in each of our individual lives and in our youth group from this moment forward. We serve an amazing God who has surrounded our team with passionate Christ followers who have so much excitement and enthusiasm for serving the Lord that is contagious. Please continue to keep us in your prayers. God Bless. -Monti