Our 5th group

Lots of pictures from week with this group. It was so fun having our 5th group here with us in Mazatlan. A group of 21 from Riverview Church in Michigan. 
We did a cookout at the Salvation Army Home, went to church, dug trenches in the back of Salvation Army so rain won't flood the dorms, worked on more posts out at Rancho, moved huge rock piles, finished the driveway at rancho, and went on a fieldtrip with Rancho de Los Ninos. 
The majority of the pictures in this  blog are from our fieldtrip to the AQUARIUM. The group split up and took a child. They had time to explore the aquarium and then all together we went to 4 different shows. There was a man swimming with sharks show, a parrot show, a falcon show, and a sea lion show. All of them were fun and different. At the sea lion show everyone got wet and some of us got to kiss a sea lion. I personally got to kiss the sea lion 3 times. 
I asked Monica (the director of Rancho) if all the kids get to go out often. She said no. Some of them have severe problems and don't get out very much. Rodo and I specifically asked for ALL of the kids from Rancho to come. I am sure they were worn out afterwards. It was such a fun day and lots to see and experience. Our group was blessed to get to know Rancho and spend the day with them at the Aquarium. 
My friend, lets call him john, was able to go. He is a 17 year old boy . He is also one of the kids that doesn't get out often because he is blind. At the childrens home he is always sitting on the floor, swaying back and forth, and pounding his fists on the floor. But we insisted that he came. We had 2 group members with him. I taught them how to say directions in spanish so they could help john when he was walking around. They were so patient with him. I couldn't help but see Christ in each of them. 
At one point in the aquarium, we stumbled upon a place where you can pay to go snorkeling. It has an open top and you can touch the water. Inside were sting rays and lots of fish. Well, John couldn't see the fish or anything but the second he put his hand in the water he was filled with joy and laughter. up until this moment (since living here) i have never seen john smile. My eyes were filled with tears as i just kept staring at the beautiful moment God had put in front of me. While other kids were content with all the things to see, John was content with the water he could feel on his hands. He kept splashing the water all over and would let out a big laugh. Such a sweet moment in my life since living and serving here in Mazatlan.