Summer vacation came to a sweet end with another memorable visit from the  Living Waters team. It was a busy week with moving Pedacito de Cielo, building a shed in Corazon del Pastor, painting the office, hosting a house-warming for the girls now living in the new  Sendero de Esperanza apartment, doing arts and craft projects, and other activities. We are so thankful for their help and the love they showered on the kids!

Mask-making was only one of the fun and creative projects the Living Waters team shared with the kids.

Mask-making was only one of the fun and creative projects the Living Waters team shared with the kids.

"Moda Loca!" It may have been torrentially down-pouring outside, but inside was a raging costume and dance party followed by a delicious bbq prepared by the team.

“Moda Loca!” It may have been torrentially down-pouring outside, but inside was a raging costume and dance party followed by a delicious bbq prepared by the team.

 

The new computer room in Corazon del Pastor!

The new computer room in Corazon del Pastor!

The girls were stoaked to receive autographed photos of Justin Bieber!!!

The girls were stoaked to receive autographed photos of Justin Bieber!!!

At the end of their visit, we traveled to the pueblo Mizque with 10 of the girls, who have been talking about this trip for months. On the way to Mizque we took a detour to visit the ruins of an ancient Incan strong-hold and test our lungs in the thin air.

With Mizque as our home-base, all 40-some of us enjoyed fabulous Bolivian-style meals in a family’s home and rowdy games of “Cacho” after dinner. During the day, we piled into the backs of two pick-up trucks and forged rivers to reach more remote villages, bearing treats and games. This is an important component of how we build relationships and trust with these villages, and also a special opportunity for the girls (and volunteers!) to get to know the Bolivian countryside.

Tug-of-war on the mountain-top! The road down to this remote village was washed out by the rain and impassible in our hardy pick-up trucks, so we met the villagers  at the summit of the highest peak around.

Tug-of-war on the mountain-top! The road down to this remote village was washed out by the rain and impassible in our hardy pick-up trucks, so we met the villagers at the summit of the highest peak around.

Parachute games with the village kids!

Parachute games with the village kids!

Preparing gifts of flour, corn-starch, sugar, and rice for the village families and toys for the village kids. Handing out the presents and seeing the kids' happy smiles is always a highlight of the trip for the Corazon girls.

Preparing gifts of flour, corn-starch, sugar, and rice for the village families and toys for the village kids. Handing out the presents and seeing the kids’ happy smiles is always a highlight of the trip for the Corazon girls.