The first few days in Chimbote

Hola! I´m happy to report that each day we´re hear gets better and better. I´ve been praying so hard for encouragement, and I´ve had my prayers answered. Yesterday the college volunteers took handicaped children with their families, totaling over 200 people, to the Beach! WE loaded four buses and took the 30 min drive to the ocean. It was such a process getting there, but once we were there it was worth it! SOme of these kids had never been swiming before, and we were the ones who got to pull them out of their wheelchair and play with them in the water. I´ve never experienced something so cool. There were so many smilies, and the kids were so grateful. We played with so many young ones, both healthy and sick, and it was the highlight of the trip so far. We played at the beach from about 10am until 3pm! LOng day. I, being the white woman I am, loaded up twice with SPF 50...and boy do I look like a lobster today! My feet look hailrious...but are so painful. JUst my neck and arms otherwise. WE also so dolphins at another part of the ocean yesterday! It was just amazing. WE got back and had to rinse sand off of ourselves for about 45 min...then rested. The other EMily T. got sick last night...bummer. Must be heat exhaustion though. I have not been eating here very much at all...the food is just not made for me. But i´m surviving off my american crackers and bread they provide here. Last night Alysha and I talked on the roof for like an hour and just watched the city life. Amazing! THis morning we took a tour of the maternity hospital and orphanage...WOW! I start work there tomorrow and could not be more excited. Can´t wait to update you on that! Now we´re going to work in the daycare for a bit...then take a big tour of the city later! Love you ALL! THanks for all the prayers and support, I´m definitely experiencing some rare blessings here! Keep it up! Talk to you soon, Emily