Coch-A-Bamb-A La La La La La By Doug Millar

Just another incredible day in Cochabamba, Bolivia! It was a long one at the work site, digging trenches and laying brick.  I think that it is so cool that we are involved with organizations like Compassion International.  It is one of those organizations where the poorest of the poor are sponsored by people in first world nations, just like us.  These are the kids that are on people's fridges back at home! The fact that we will actually be there with these children face-to-face is wonderful and exciting.  I cannot wait until next Saturday! Due to the impact this building will have on the neighborhood, which includes housing spiritual and medical care, we are all further motivated to keep working on this building, even though it is proving to be difficult.  It is practically a quarry there are so many rocks! 

On the more personal side, one thing that really stuck out to me during this trip so far was the VBS.  I was part of the sports group, so I really did not know what to expect, as nothing we were doing was really spiritual, but was rather intended for the kids to burn off some energy so they could focus during the spiritual activities.  However, I was truly awe-inspired by these children playing, especially soccer. These kids were playing in what was probably their only outfits, which ranged from Cars and Ben-10 t-shirts to well-worn leather dress shoes and dress pants mended to fit.  This is all they had.  Yet, they played with the same excitement and ferocity that we had when we were kids.  When we play sports at home, we want the best, most expensive, good-looking gear.  Yet these kids played soccer better than most of us could in clothes definitely not meant for working out in.  Just seeing their excitement and joy despite their lack of material wealth was jaw-dropping.  These kids live in a third-world country, but they do not at like it! It was a humbling sight to see, to say the least.  

In addition, I just wanted to make a quick shout-out to my parents, who are empty-nesters for about another week.  I miss you guys, and I hope you two are holding up alright.  Love you and see you soon! This is Doug Millar, signing off.  

Good night.

By Doug Millar