Rich and I are both involved with mentoring the older kids in the Children's Home. Rich works with John Carlos, a sixteen year-old, teaching everything from mechanics to well drilling while trying to instill a good work ethic and a love for Christ. Instead of paying him cash we put a little money aside in an account for John Carlos to buy his own tools. In the Children's Home we most certainly want the kids to have a relationship with God and Christ as their savior, and in addition, we also want to give them some life skills.I work with two of the older girls Yania and Rosmery. Mostly we do fun things because they have a ton of chores to do in their house and they are both very good students. Usually, I try to do something that helps the creative part of their mind. The first time they made jewelry it was overwhelming to have so many choices and didn't know where to start. Now they are always excited to try something new and are becoming less and less timid. We chat about their lives and different questions that they have.
The girls really helped us out getting camp ready this summer and never asked for anything in return. I decided they needed a treat! Yesterday I picked them up around one in the afternoon. They had no idea where we were going or what we were doing. We stopped in Gasper at a clothing store and they got to pick out a shirt for themselves. (I figured they didn't want to buy tools.)
Rarely, if ever, do they get to pick their own clothes. Groups and sponsors are very generous with the kids and they love what they receive but, they were really excited to get to pick something out. After they decided what they wanted, they decided that I also needed a Dominican shirt. Being that they know I like neutral and classic styles, of course they picked out a hot pink t-shirt with rhinestones. Although I felt ridiculous, they assured me that it looked really good. I'm sure we will all be the talk of the town.
