Escoge Sabiamente: Tuesday and nobody is burying their talents

Yes, our energy ebbed on Monday. Too, early in the trip for that. But as a wise man once said: “When you slam an orange against the wall, you get orange juice every time, not grape juice or peanut butter.” What he meant by that was, if you put someone under pressure and stress, what’s really inside of them will find it’s way out.

Thanks to God and all those who continue to pray for the success of this trip, what’s leaking out under stress and lack of sleep here at the City of Children is the talent with which God has blessed each members of our team. Sharing our talents for the glory of God seemed to be the unspoken lesson we were treated to today. In our stress, we were blessed to an outpouring of talents. Talents of all kinds – from interpretive dance to classical violin, computer wizardry to crafty artworks, adept translating to turning a stack of wood and a slab of concrete into a small home. And, of course, there are those talents Jesus himself called out – feeding, clothing, freeing the bound and offering just a cup of cold water.

There were talents performed openly for everyone’s enjoyment and those performed secretly behind the scenes for everyone’s needs. There is the talent of teaching in all of its varied forms, from leading a bible class for dorm mamas and teens to reading out loud to a small child. We witnessed talents for comic relief as well as serious insight. Talents of energy, enthusiasm, encouragement and seeing how high you can skip (you’ll have to ask a teen) to the talents of so many at home who support this trip with skillfully crafted puppet show scripts, getting supplies ordered and even turning their personal talents and time into financial support so others can make the trip. Today, we saw talents being used at every turn and so had a peek of our Father, the Creator.

Even when we might have a good reason not to perform – we’re tired, too much to do, I don’t know if I even know how to do that – the choice remains between using the talents God has entrusted us with or digging a hole to bury them in.

Thankfully ours is the God of creation and recreation. God Provides! Every day with Him is resurrection day. We were dead tired but the hole we might have dug for ourselves remains empty. Because He has risen to the task so can we.

Alexandria and Emma perform an interpretive dance to Miranda Lambert's The House that Built Me in honor of the Creative Arts & Learning Center. It's is their gift to the children and our team.

Greer plays Ashoken Farewell, music to calm the savage beast - or in this case, the savage Bubble Gum Troll (AAT...Ask a Teen...or see later in these pictures for an explanation)

Luke works the keyboard to lineup all the music for the skit.

More than 1/3 of our team are newcomers but you'd never know that. They've all just jumped in and done whatever needed doing. From Evil Queen to Good and Godly Teacher, newcomer Cindy Patton has been a creative whirlwind.

And then there are those who work tirelessly behind the scenes. Thanks, Carol, and many, many others... Some we will never know how much they've done. But, Lord knows, there's One who does.

Food Crew

Our teens at Church of Christ in Maneadero, the base of operation for our food delivery.

Maneadero, the site of our food and clothing distribution, a far different world than the City of Children.

Distributing food among the homes of Maneadero church members.

Children of Maneadero to whom we distribute Happy Meal toys and clothing.

Sometimes a smile is the best way to communicate.

Free Play at the City of Children

Special Project Crew

Puppet Crew

Also Seen at the City of Children

Teen Boys' Bible Class

Bible Class for Dorm Mamas and other Staff.

House Crew

Our safety procedures include a prayer each day before construction begins.

Note: Behind April and John are the other houses in the neighborhood where we're building our house. We pray it stands as a light on the hillside.

Skit Crew

Captain Korea continues to be a crowd pleaser!

Space Unicorn brings smiles, rainbows and marsh mellow lasers to the City of Children. Skid contacted the creator of the Space Unicorn song, Parry Gripp, and asked him if he would do a Spanish version for an orphans home in Mexico. And Parry Gripp did it!? Wise choice, Parry! We unveiled it at The City of Children. And for your home viewing pleasure, here is the song via YouTube: Unicornio Espacial by Parry Gripp.

Mother and child reunion.

Deacon and Elder in drag... Worship minister in chains...hmmmm.

Papa Joe wasn't feeling his best so Stan makes a guest appearance. Stan, you have big shoes to fill... and pants and shirt, etc.

The Bubble Gum Troll (Mexicano Director of the City of Children) makes his appearance. Note: Bubble Gum is forbidden at the City. Thus, Beware the Bubble Gum Troll!