This morning after breakfast we left for an orphanage. This is the first contact that the ministry has had with this particular orphanage, so it was kind of a scouting trip. They told us we would be doing some painting, some yard work and playing with the kids, and that there were only 10 kids at this home. Supposedly they knew we were coming, but it didn't appear that way. The kids were very friendly and happy to see us. They wanted us to clean one room and remove some old floor tiles, but they did not have the tools we needed for that. We ended up painting one of the boys rooms, which was a challenge because we had to move all the furniture around as we painted each wall. The team worked hard and did a great job considering what we had to work with. The rest of the group played cricket, painted fingernails, colored, played volleyball, and cleaned up trash. it was a bit unorganized and there was a lot of waiting around, but we are learning this is kind of the Trinidad way. Around 1pm we drove to a park and had our lunch that we had packed and brought along with us.

Then we headed to the neighborhood where we will have VBS next week. We split up into three teams and "canvassed" the neighborhood, inviting children to VBS. The neighborhood is on the side of small mountain and we will be having VBS on the top. We will certainly get a good workout as we have quite a bit of walking up a steep winding street (there is no place for our bus to turn around a the top, so that is why we walk), then about 40 stair steps up to the top. The kids we talked to seemed to be very excited.

After we got home from canvassing, we had some free time, then dinner. After dinner we walked down the street to a small grocery store, where most of the team bought some snacks. The store accepts US money, but gives Trinidad currency in change. After our trip to the store, we did some preparation for VBS, then most of us played in the pool for a while before winding down for the evening and now it is time for bed.

Tomorrow we will be holding a short church service at a Catholic orphanage. Our afternoon is open, so we might spend some more time prepping for VBS or we may do some street evangelism in the neighborhood. Then we'll be in church tomorrow night.

Everyone is still doing well, and seems to be excited so far about their experiences. Thanks for praying.