Light-up shoes!

Phoenix, Arizona:

A couple of catch-up notes: This past weekend we made our way from Cedar City through the snow-packed hills of Utah back down to the barren low lands of the desert and up to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. The drive through the park was beautiful with the snow covered pines and the occasional family of deer out the window. The canyon was nothing short of all that we could have imagined... actually it was very much what we could imagine because the clouds settled in for the day surrounding Latreia and all the other sight-(wish-to be) seers, not allowing us the canyon in its full splendor. The Grand Canyon is a huge and wonderful place but if you want to see the entire thing I recommend that you go there on a sunny day.

We are without Kelly this week in Arizona. She flew back to Iowa to be in a wedding, that's why the trio in the photos posted.

Last night was a crazy good time. We helped at what is called "Monday Nights" when close to 70 volunteers bring over 300 children (1st through 6th grade) from all over the city to a large classroom building on the site we are working. Everyone gathers for two hours where they will worship, have small group and class time as well as recreation time when crowds gather outside at the dimly lit soccer field; cones for the goals. I had so much fun serving food, distributing candy rewards, visiting with the shy kids and ending the night with a huge game of "little-kids-soccer" (where a swarm of children resembling a school of fish follows the ball all over the field). I especially enjoyed watching a diligent young boy score three goals against the older kids in what would be a 6-6 game. I could recognize him by his light-up shoes flashing across the dark field. For some children this night is what they live for; it is their salvation to hear God's message and have a safe place to be themselves. By the end of the night they were asking if we would be back. It broke my heart to admit the reluctant "no."

This makes me think of what is to come with our next week in Mexico. It is a wonderful experience getting involved in so many people's lives, to be with them. It is difficult, however to know that it will end. This is not the first time for this experience but the feeling was strong last night and I know it will be coming this next week. I am happy to witness those flashes of light in the dark where people are safe and loved. I leave that place wondering where those lights will end up and if they will be safe again. I am not sure if I will see my little teammate again but I am happy that I had the chance, at least, to see him once.

Jesse