Last full day!

(Wednesday) We awoke early to join the ten mattresses into one mat using plastic and a tarp.  Little did we know that this would become a fiasco, twice.  After painstakingly joining every piece with too little of each material.  We flipped the unit over and created a mess of plastic foam and rope.  We dove under the mess to try to salvage our labor and came out laughing at the mess we had made.  The best explanation is the video Nate took as we began to come out from underneath.  In short, we were able to fix it and would have to relive the whole thing later that evening when more rope and tarp were purchased.

But by 9:30 (started at 5:15) we were ready to receive our first groups.  We taught about 100 kids how to climb.  I yelled the instructions over the sound of fans and circular saws (carpentry class).  The students and teachers were fascinated.  When the first kid fell (6th grade) the group erupted in laughter and I spent some time talking about encouragement.  As more kids attempted I talked about making the next hold your goal and not the end of the route.  The kids started using the names of the different routes (like el pengüino vikingo, and el pájaro carpintero) and instructing one another.  It really was beautiful.  Luke created a video compilation :).

By 1:00 we were wiped out and went for coffee back at the house before heading to chapel.

Chapel was led by the sixth grade and when it was our time to speak, I asked the students and teachers to start with questions about us.  I think this helped them to see us as more than just a rock climbing family.  This time was also the setting of a classic Spanish blunder.  I was searching for a word and a student attempted to help me, but whispered it and I came out with the wrong word sending the congregation into hysterics.  Oh well.  You have to jump in with both feet. :)

After school, I invited family, students and teachers to come and climb. It was such an encouraging, fun environment.  I loved that a 12 year old’s (recently caught) bird was being passed around while she climbed. Moments like these are just part of the whole journey.  We don’t do all the work for the fun at the end, but these times sure do make you feel great.

When we left on Thursday morning, there were selfies galore.  I told Luke and Gabe they were “rock stars”.  The girls were all coming up and wanting pictures with them.  Pretty cute.  We left at 7:30 AM and headed to the airport.

It was a short trip, but it was such a blessing to spend the time working alongside my family to bring something unique to a rural school that has become such a part of our lives over the last 25 years.